071 Coleophora glaucicolella

COLEOPHORIDAE

37.071 Coleophora glaucicolella (Grey Rush Case-bearer)

ws: 10-12mm; Jun-Aug; rush (Juncus spp); common in damp areas throughout Britain

Coleophora glaucicolella §1 male

ID: Forewing with longitudinal white/pale streaks; antenna without extensive dense scales at base; forewing pale streaks obscure so that only the costa is distinct > C.atriplicis/alticolella/glaucicolella. Antenna ringed to middle, spotted below in apical half > C.glaucicolella. C.atriplicis is larger (ws12-14mm) and has the antenna ringed to the apex; C.alticolella has the antenna barred to 3/4. Genital dissection recommended for confident ID.
Male Genitalia: Sacculus without a distinct anterior process, with a distinct long, narrow posterior process arising from its postero-lateral corner and continuous with the lateral border of the sacculus; aedeagus with an apical tooth on each prong and two clusters of cornuti in vesica.
Female Genitalia: Ductus bursae with a spiculate section close to the subgenital plate extending for about 2x length of SGP; long incision in posterior margin of SGP, continuous with ostium and almost reaching anterior margin of SGP; SGP parallel-sided.

Variation
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia

§1 Surlingham, Norfolk; 24/07/2009; male; fw 5.0mm
§2 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 28/07/2009; male; fw 5.9mm
§3 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 28/07/2009; female; fw 5.1mm
§4 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 23/074/2013; male; fw 6.1mm
§5 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 05/07/2013; male; fw 6.1mm
§6 Windermere, Cumbria; 16/07/2015; female; fw 5.6mm; to light
§7 Cliburn Moss, Cumbria; 10/06/2018; male; fw 5.7mm
§8 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 17/06/2020; male; fw 5.9mm
§9 Stour Wood, Essex; 08/07/2021; female; fw 5.3mm
All images © Chris Lewis