Larch Case-bearer - Coleophora laricella

Wingspan 8 to10 mm. This is quite a dark species.

Anywhere that European Larch occurs.

The adults fly in June and July and are attracted to light.

The larvae feed on the needles of European Larch. When occurring in large numbers, entire trees can be damaged, the needles turning pale as the larvae eat them from within. A number of cases are built as the larvae grow, often in the centre of a floret of needles.

A common species in suitable habitat throughout most of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).