Coleophora artemisicolella

Coleophora artemisicolella

Alternative names
Mugwort Case-bearer
Description

Wingspan about 12 mm.  There are a number of very similar Coleophora species and adults need to be determined by examination of the genitalia. 

Identification difficulty

Adult   Cased Larva (or feeding signs)

Recording advice

Adult Coleophora need to be determined by examination of the genitalia. 

Cased Larva (or feeding signs) - please provide close-up photographs and state the host plant.

Habitat

Roadside verges, waste places and disturbed ground where Mugwort is present.

When to see it

Flight period is July and August.

Life History

The cased larvae feed on Mugwort.  They produce a case resembling the seed heads, and feed my moving from one seed head to the next, leaving a tell-tale hole in the seed head where feeding has taken place.

UK Status

Coleophora artemisicolella has a scattered distribution extending from southern England to northern England and North Wales.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Broughton Astley record of 11th July /2025 is the first for our area.

Reference
37.09 BF577

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records