Coleophora anatipennella is a species of moth in the family Coleophoridae, commonly known as case-bearer moths. It was first described by the German entomologist Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Coleophoridae
- Genus: Coleophora
- Species: C. anatipennella
The species is sometimes placed within the subgenus Casignetia based on morphological characteristics of the genitalia and larval case.
Description
Adult moths have a wingspan of 11–14 mm. The forewings are narrow, lanceolate, and typically a uniform brownish‑gray color with faint longitudinal streaks; the hindwings are slender and fringed. The head bears smooth scales, and the antennae are filiform, roughly half the length of the forewing. Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with males and females appearing similar in external morphology.
Distribution
C. anatipennella occurs throughout much of the Palearctic region. Its range includes most of Europe—from the British Isles and Scandinavia to the Mediterranean basin—as well as parts of western and central Asia. It is considered relatively common within suitable habitats across this range.
Habitat
The species inhabits open and semi‑open environments where its host plants grow, such as grasslands, meadows, forest edges, and disturbed sites. It is often found in areas where its larval food plants, primarily members of the family Asteraceae, are abundant.
Life Cycle and Ecology
- Larval host plants: The larvae are case‑bearing and feed primarily on the seeds and flower heads of various Asteraceae species, including Artemisia spp., Achillea spp., and Inula spp. The larval case is a slender, tubular silken structure often incorporating fragments of the host plant.
- Phenology: Adults are typically on the wing from June to August, depending on geographic location and climate. The species is univoltine (one generation per year) in most of its range.
- Behavior: Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light sources. Mating occurs shortly after emergence, and females lay eggs on the appropriate host plant material.
Conservation Status
The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List and is generally regarded as a species of least concern due to its wide distribution and stable populations in most parts of its range. No major threats have been identified, although local declines may occur where host plant habitats are destroyed by intensive agriculture or urban development.
References
- Zeller, P. C. (1839). Description of new Lepidoptera. Entomologische Zeitung.
- Baldizzone, G., van der Wolf, H., & Landry, J.-F. (2005). World Catalogue of the Coleophoridae (Lepidoptera). Apollo Books.
- Emmet, A. M. (1991). The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 4. Harley Books.