Coleophora ornatipennella is a small moth of the family Coleophoridae.
It is found in central and south-eastern Europe (from Germany and Poland to the Pyrenees, Italy and Greece and from France to Romania as well as in southern and northern Russia and Estonia) and in the Near East. It is also found in China.[1]
The wingspan is about 12 millimetres (0.47 in). Forewings are yellowish and apically falcate, with dark gray stripes.[2]
The moth flies in May and June depending on the location. The larvae feed on Alopecurus, Anthoxanthum, Avena, Briza, Bromus, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus, Koeleria and Poa species. Young larvae feed on the developing receptacles of Lamiaceae species and use them also to make their first case. Before hibernation, they switch to mining grass blades. They make another case. This is a laterally compressed leaf case of 13–17 millimetres (0.51–0.67 in) with a mouth angle of about 30°. Initially, the colour is yellowish white, but it quickly turns brownish.[3] Larvae can be found from October to May.
Coleophora ornatipennella. Illustration from Stainton’s Natural History of the Tineina (1859)
Mined grass leaf blade with larval case attached
Larva
Coleophora ornatipennella is a small moth of the family Coleophoridae.
