Coleophora trifolii

(Curtis, 1833)

large clover case-bearer, trefoil thick-horned tinea

A small in the Coleophoridae with a wingspan of 15–20 mm, characterized by metallic bronze-green coloration and pale yellow fringing the . are and active from June to July. The larvae are seed-feeders, developing from July to September on Melilotus . The species is distributed across Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, Afghanistan, and North America.

Coleophora trifolii by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Coleophora trifolii - Flickr - Bennyboymothman (1) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Coleophora trifolii (19599953822) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coleophora trifolii: /koʊˈliːəˌfɔrə traɪˈfoʊli.aɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Certain identification requires microscopic examination of the genitalia. The metallic bronze-green coloration with pale yellow distinguishes it from many other small , but definitive identification relies on internal .

Images

Distribution

Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, Afghanistan, and North America.

Seasonality

on wing from June to July. Larvae feed from July to September.

Diet

Larvae feed on seeds of Melilotus , including Melilotus albus, Melilotus officinalis, and Melilotus altissima.

Host Associations

  • Melilotus albus - larval - seed feeding
  • Melilotus officinalis - larval - seed feeding
  • Melilotus altissima - larval - seed feeding

Life Cycle

Larvae develop from July to September, feeding on plant seeds. occurs in June to July.

Behavior

are active during the day ().

Tags

Sources and further reading