Coleophora amethystinella

There are interesting things going on with this quite scarce species in the county at the moment so I’m putting a warning out for people to look out for it as it seems to be on the move.
First found in Suffolk in 2004 along the river Stour, it was then found in 2011 along the Orwell. I recorded it for the first time at IGC in 2015, as did Paul Kitchener in Ipswich. This year, I had 2 in mid May and Paul recorded another in Ipswich. This has lead me to believe it may be breeding somewhere close by but I have no definitive proof yet.
There has now been another development. On Saturday, whilst out on a visit to some meadows at Cornard near Sudbury a few of us discovered a number of the moths (both males and females) flying and feeding at flowers. The foodplant, Smooth tare, was present. Surely it must be breeding there. This is the first record for the west Suffolk vice county I believe.
So, watch out for any large metallic green Coleophoras in your traps (see photo). The distinctive features to watch out for are no white marks on the antennae and the patch of large orange scales visible with a hand lens under the eye. Both sexes have this feature.

Good luck and happy hunting

Neil

Coleophora amethystinella female

Coleophora amethystinella female

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