Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1255843

Apple & Plum Casebearer Moth
Coleophora spinella

Observation date: June 25, 2020
Submitted by: tirvine2020
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Raised from caterpillars. Two individuals raised on crabapple (Malus sp.). First one found on 4/29. This one started off as a larva in small capsules of leaves (seen in the fourth photo), and it mostly ate small blotches out of leaves and not eating the whole way through the leaf. On 5/13, it left the old case and spun a new one entirely comprised of silk, as seen in the second photo. Once in the larger case, it ate in larger blotches and did puncture all the way through the leaf at the center of each blotch, as seen in the third photo. The other individual was found on 5/24, but it had a large case made of leaves and not silk. On 6/3, both individuals pupated. They both hatched as adults on 6/25, identical in size and maculation.
Status: Resident
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: August 23, 2020
Coordinator notes: None.