Coleophora argentula
# Coleophora argentula

Coleophora argentula is a moth of the family Coleophoridae, found in most of Europe, Russia and Asia Minor. The larvae live in cases and feed on the seeds of yarrow and sneezewort.

## Description

The wingspan is 9.5–13 mm. The forewing is cream-coloured with distinct white longitudinal stripes and with oblique streaks and scattered fuscous scales. Certain identification requires examination of genitalia preparations. Adults are on wing in June and July.

### Ovum

Eggs are laid on the flowers of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica).

### Larva

The early instars feed from early September on the withering flowers and seeds. Early larvae feed in the seedheads which can be attached together with silk; often making a long gallery and a flimsy, silken case at one end. This case is initially white, but becomes brown when fully formed and reaches a length of about 5–6 mm.

### Pupa

Pupation takes place within the case.

## Gallery

* Larva
* Larval cases on yarrow seeds
* Close up of larval case
* Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
* Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)

## Etymology

The genus Coleophora was raised by the German entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1822. The name refers to a sheath, i.e. to carry, from the portable case the larvae make. The moth was named argentula by the English entomologist James Francis Stephens in 1834, from a specimen found near London, England. The species name comes from argentum – the silver streaks along the veins on the forewing, which are in contrast to the ochreous ground colour.

