Coleophora deauratella

Distinguished from similar Coleophora species by combination of metallic bronze head, brassy bronze forewings with coppery apex, and dark grey hindwings. Separated from C. frischella (with which it was historically confused) based on genitalic characters; the two species were not distinguished until 1976. Antennal scaling pattern and wing coloration provide field identification cues.

Small moth with wingspan 11–13 mm. Head metallic bronze. Antennae dark grey with white apex, thickened at base with dense dark coppery-bronzy scales extending beyond the first three segments. Forewings shining brassy bronze with coppery tinge toward apex. Hindwings dark grey.

Grassy habitats in native range; red clover seed crops and hay fields in agricultural areas. In invaded regions, strongly associated with commercial red clover seed production systems.

Native: most of Europe, Asia Minor, Lebanon, Tasmania. Invasive: North America (first detected Alberta, Canada 2006; western Oregon, USA 2011), New Zealand (first confirmed 2016, now widespread from Invercargill to Masterton). Common in parts of Southern England.

Adults on wing June–July in native European range. In New Zealand, adult emergence correlated with thermal time (285°C days from 1 July, baseline 12°C), with peak flights in December and monitoring period November–February.

Larvae feed on developing seeds of red clover (Trifolium pratense) within individual florets.

• Trifolium pratense - hostRed clover; larvae feed on developing seeds within florets

Larval stage feeds within red clover florets on developing seeds. Adult emergence phenology temperature-dependent; in New Zealand, half of adult emergence occurs at 285°C days from 1 July with baseline temperature of 12°C.

Larvae feed inside individual red clover florets, consuming developing seeds. Male sex pheromone used for communication and monitoring. In invaded regions, synthetic pheromones have been deployed for mating disruption.

In native range, causes only minor damage. In invaded regions, significant agricultural pest of red clover seed production with potential for severe economic impact; populations in Oregon and New Zealand showed decline after 2018, with unknown biocontrol agents or other factors speculated.

Major pest of red clover seed crops in North America and New Zealand, with reported seed yield losses up to 90%. Management includes chemical control (tau-fluvalinate, lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos provide >90% control), synthetic pheromone mating disruption, and biological control using parasitoids. In Alberta, crop stand age reduced to 1 year to mitigate losses.

• Coleophora frischellaHistorically confused with C. deauratella until separated in 1976; distinguished by genitalic characters

• invasive pest
• agricultural pest
• red clover
• seed predator
• pheromone communication
• case-bearer moth

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Red clover casebearer moth (Coleophora deauratella) is widespread throughout New Zealand
• Biology and management of Coleophora deauratella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) in red clover seed-growing regions in North America and New Zealand
• The genome sequence of the Red-clover Case-bearer, Coleophora deauratella Zeller, 1846.