37.033 Coleophora trifolii (Large Clover Case-bearer)
ws: 15-20mm; Jun-Jul; ribbed/tall meliliot (Melilotus officinalis/altissima); common in S.England, more local in N.England
ID: Forewing metallic; antenna fuscous with the apical portion white; lower margin of eye fringed with straw coloured hairs > C.trifolii
Of the 6 metallic Coleophora, C.amethystinella and C.mayrella can be excluded on antennal features. C.deauratella/alcyonipennella/frischella all have fuscous rather than straw-coloured hairs fringing the lower margin of the eye. C.trifolii and C.amethystinella are the largest of the group - any specimen with a forewing length >8.0 mm should be one of these two.
Female genitalia: spiculate section of ductus bursae >4x length of subgenital plate; ostium broad and central.
Of the 6 metallic Coleophora, C.amethystinella and C.mayrella can be excluded on antennal features. C.deauratella/alcyonipennella/frischella all have fuscous rather than straw-coloured hairs fringing the lower margin of the eye. C.trifolii and C.amethystinella are the largest of the group - any specimen with a forewing length >8.0 mm should be one of these two.
Female genitalia: spiculate section of ductus bursae >4x length of subgenital plate; ostium broad and central.
DIssection
Female genitalia
§1 Foulness, Essex; 04/07/2015; female; fw 8.0mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 16/11/2015 (§1)