Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Coleophoridae Bruand, 1850
Explanation of Names
Coleophoridae from the type genus
Coleophora (Hübner), from Greek meaning "case bearer."
(1)
They are called casebearers because the larvae live in portable cases made of plant material, frass and silk.
Size
Small to very small moths, wingspan 5-26 mm.
Identification
Wings lancelike, usually one color; sometimes streaked or dusted with other colors.
Food
Larvae mine in leaves, seeds and (rarely) stems.
Life Cycle
From the second instar onward coleophorid larvae spend their entire life in a portable case that they make, using silk, host plant material, or a combination of both (with no variation within species). Case shape and construction is very often species specific, particularly when coupled with host plant.
Some species, overwinter as fully grown larvae, others need to feed in the spring to complete their development.
[excerpts of edited quote by Jean-Francois Landry, copied from John Himmelman's website]
Casebearers move about from leaf to leaf during the summer but in fall they carry their cases to a sheltered spot on the bark where the overwinter.
(2)
