Group C: Coleophora with a plain, non-metallic, not white, forewing
Note that Group D is similar, but differs in having a pale costa
25 species
Only 9 species in Group C can be identified confidently on external features and 6 of those will sometimes need genital confirmation.
These species vary considerably in ground colour from fairly pale grey to blackish, from pale to dark brown and from buff to ochreous and ferruginous, but none can be identified on colour alone. Some species are sexually dimorphic in ground colour. With one exception, they also have overlapping size ranges. Coleophora juncicolella is so small that it may be possible to identify it on size alone. A table of colour and sizes of the species in Group C is presented here which may help to narrow down the range of possibilities for any given specimen and act as a confirmatory guide when used in combination with the keys below. As a further pointer the most closely similar species are also listed under the entry for each species.
Only 9 species in Group C can be identified confidently on external features and 6 of those will sometimes need genital confirmation.
These species vary considerably in ground colour from fairly pale grey to blackish, from pale to dark brown and from buff to ochreous and ferruginous, but none can be identified on colour alone. Some species are sexually dimorphic in ground colour. With one exception, they also have overlapping size ranges. Coleophora juncicolella is so small that it may be possible to identify it on size alone. A table of colour and sizes of the species in Group C is presented here which may help to narrow down the range of possibilities for any given specimen and act as a confirmatory guide when used in combination with the keys below. As a further pointer the most closely similar species are also listed under the entry for each species.
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Species that may be looked for here but are keyed in other groups
In C.flavipennella, C.sylvaticella and C.aestuariella (Group D) the pale costa may be sufficiently indistinct that it is overlooked
In C.flavipennella, C.sylvaticella and C.aestuariella (Group D) the pale costa may be sufficiently indistinct that it is overlooked
1. Basal portion of antenna dark fuscous
1a Antenna fuscous in basal ⅔, white in apical ⅓ (forewing shining fuscous) > 37.026 Coleophora violacea
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1b Antenna fuscous in basal ½, white with dark fuscous rings from middle to near apex (forewing shining fuscous)
> 37.020 Coleophora fuscocuprella |
1d Antenna fuscous in scape and basal 2 (♂) or 4 (♀) segments of flagellum, remainder white ringed fuscous; medial aspect of labial palp fuscous; medial aspects of hindtibia and hindtarsus whitish (forewing shining fuscous)
> 37.027 Coleophora potentillae |
1e Antenna fuscous in scape and basal 2-3 segments of flagellum, remainder white ringed fuscous; medial aspect of labial palp buff, medial aspect of hindtibia greyish-buff (forewing shining fuscous)
> 37.031 Coleophora ahenella (♀) (only the scape is dark fuscous in the ♂) |
C.potentillae and C.ahenella are also keyed from the genitalia
2. Proximal segments of flagellum thickened with scales; forewing usually shows 2 or 3 diffuse fuscous stigmata > 2 species
Coleophora clypeiferella vs Coleophora salicorniae
2a Basal ¼ of flagellum thickened > 37.108 Coleophora salicorniae (♀)
2b Basal ⅙ of flagellum thickened > 37.107 Coleophora clypeiferella (♂& ♀)
2c Basal 2 segments of flagellum thickened > 37.108 Coleophora salicorniae (♂)
Doubtful specimens can be determined by examination of the first abdominal tergite and genitalia.
See C.clypeiferella vs C.salicorniae for more detailed information on distinguishing these two species
It is possible that a few male C.salicorniae will bypass this section of the key due to absent or obscured stigmata and unrecognised antennal thickening - such specimens will be determined later in the key.
2a Basal ¼ of flagellum thickened > 37.108 Coleophora salicorniae (♀)
2b Basal ⅙ of flagellum thickened > 37.107 Coleophora clypeiferella (♂& ♀)
2c Basal 2 segments of flagellum thickened > 37.108 Coleophora salicorniae (♂)
Doubtful specimens can be determined by examination of the first abdominal tergite and genitalia.
See C.clypeiferella vs C.salicorniae for more detailed information on distinguishing these two species
It is possible that a few male C.salicorniae will bypass this section of the key due to absent or obscured stigmata and unrecognised antennal thickening - such specimens will be determined later in the key.
As far as I have been able to establish, these are the only Coleophora species to show irroration (pale tips to the scales). They are also the species in group C to show scattered fuscous scales. This irroration is largely confined to the forewing apex and only affects the fuscous scales.
3. Entire insect including antenna grey > 37.066 Coleophora laricella
Specimens of this species with an almost unmarked grey antenna may be reliably identified on this feature. However, the antenna does have some degree of alternation between darker and paler annulation and this may be sufficient that the specimen is not recognisable as this species. Such specimens will be identified in the genitalia keys. Both images right are antennae from specimens of C.laricella.
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4. Very small (wingspan 6-8mm) > 37.028 Coleophora juncicolella
No other species has a quoted size range so small; though there is some overlap from 7.5mm. It is possible that smaller specimens of this species obtained in suitable habitat could be identified on size alone. It is also keyed from the genitalia.
No other species has a quoted size range so small; though there is some overlap from 7.5mm. It is possible that smaller specimens of this species obtained in suitable habitat could be identified on size alone. It is also keyed from the genitalia.
The remaining species in Group C have a white antenna that is annulate or barred fuscous to at least half its length and no sufficiently distinctive features to permit identification on external features. These species will all require genital determination.