Coleophora trifolii

• Subfamily:
• Wingspan: 15-20 mm
• Flight period: Jun - Jul
• Spread: Common
• Host plants: Melilotus sp.

Information

The Coleophora trifolii also called Large Clover Case-bearer , is one of the largest moths of the Coleophoridae family with a wingspan of 15-20 mm.
It is widespread in most of Europe with the exception of Iceland in Portugal, part of the Balkan peninsula and Belarus. In Italy it is absent only from Sardinia. *
It is also found in North Africa, Asia Minor, Afghanistan and North America.

The front wings are metallic gold, sometimes with greenish hues, near the apex they darken in a bronze - purplish color. The edges are strongly fringed. he hind wings are dark gray with metallic shades of gold, also strongly fringed, almost feathered like others belonging to this family.
The head is metallic gold; the antennas, also metallic gold, are filiform and fade to white in the last third of the length, near the apex

Adult moths are visible from June to July and are active during the day **, although they can be attracted to artificial lights at night. The larvae feed from July to September, then enter diapause in the nearby vegetation and pupate the following spring in their own case. ***
He frequents pastures and open wastelands. The pupation takes place in a dark almost black case, between the pods, for the construction of which up to three pods can be joined.

The larvae feed from July to September on the seeds of Melilotus species (including Melilotus officinalis, Melilotus altissima and Melilotus albus).


* Lepidoptera mundi https://lepidoptera.eu/ - Fauna Europea https://fauna-eu.org/
** Kimber, Ian. "37.033 BF516 Large Clover Case-bearer Coleophora trifolii (Curtis, 1832)"
*** Ellis, W N. "Coleophora trifolii (Curtis, 1832) large clover casebearer on Melilotus"