Group D: Identification from male genitalia
1. Sacculus with a distinct posterior process or projection
1a Posterior projection terminates in a medially directed hook; lateral margin dentate in its posterior half
> 37.079 Coleophora aestuariella 1b Spinous posterior process arising from a truncate projection midway along the posterior margin of the sacculus ; anterolateral margin rounded and edged with narrow spines > 37.007 Coleophora flavipennella |
2. Sacculus triangular with a distinct acute anterolateral angulation
> 37.068 Coleophora adjunctella Aedeagus with two prongs both with a small apical tooth. |
3. Sacculus a simple blunt-ended bar > 37.021 Coleophora arctostaphyli
37.067 Coleophora antennariella (extinct) would also key here.
In C.arctostaphyli the aedeagus has a simple tunica; in C.antennariella it has two prongs. |
4. Sacculus narrow, elongate ending with a notched lateral projection
5. Sacculus narrow, elongate, ending in a lateral process, with an anterior subapical flap-like tooth
These two are extremely similar and the exact dimensions of the subapical tooth can be hard to judge. The apical portion of the sacculus naturally curves away from the base of the sacculus and the subapical process bends in from the anterior margin, so it is extremely difficult to get everything to lay flat. It may help that the costal stripe of C.alnifoliae has a yellow tinge.
These two are extremely similar and have identical male genitalia. MBGBI3 distinguishes them on the basis that in C.adjectella the lateral point partially crosses the valvula as it curves to its apex; while in C.badiipennella the curve follows the margin of the valvula - but this distinction seems entirely unreliable.
6. Sacculus narrow, elongate, ending in a lateral point, without a subapical process
6a Wingspan 12-13.5mm; antenna with at least apical ⅕ unringed
> 37.018 Coleophora hydrolapathella 6b Wingspan 9-10mm; antenna ringed to apex > 37.019 Coleophora trigeminella |
These two have very similar genitalia; perhaps the lateral point of the sacculus is slightly more produced in C.trigeminella. They are easier to distinguish on external features.