37.049 .... B&F 0533
Pistol Case-bearer Coleophora anatipennella (Hübner, 1796)
Status .....Probably quite a widespread Coleophora, although our own records would seem to indicate that this moth is commonest in the Sherwood Forest area of Nottinghamshire. Larval cases and feeding signs, should be looked for on the leaves of Blackthorn. In the Autumn, feeding windows made by the larva are <1mm across and two or sometimes three leaves are usually peppered with these. The larva can be found either under the leaf, but around mid-October, fixes itself at the junction of stem and side shoot to overwinter.
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Photographed at Misson Carr June 2025
 
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Larval feeding signs by pre-overwintering larva on Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, photographed at Eakring Meadows NR October 2025. The larval case was found in the immediate proximity, tucked into the joint of two woody shoots.
 
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Pre-overwintering larval case (3mm length) found near the above leaves and feeding signs. Photographed at Eakring Meadows NR October 2025.
 
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Larval feeding signs made by a slightly more advanced larva on Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, photographed at Eakring village, October 2025. The larval case was attached to the underside of the leaf.
 
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Pre-overwintering larval case, photographed at Eakring village October 2025
 
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Larval case, photographed at Sherwood Forest CP May 2010
 
 
Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Coleophora anatipennella
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Martin Gray. NBGRC. J.T. Radford. Nick and Samantha Brownley.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated October 2025

copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
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