Coleophora virgaureae

To continue the recent Coleophora case theme, I found three cases of C. virgaureae while mapping Marsh Fritillary habitat along a forestry ride near Bryn, Neath Port Talbot yesterday. Cases were on the seedheads of goldenrod. MBGBI vol. 3 says the cases are hidden in the seedheads but two of the three were clearly visible without having to pick the seedheads apart (see circled case in photo below).

The larva makes a silken case to which it attaches fine hairs from the seedheads.

 

As far as I know there are just two previous county records, both from the 1920s, but given that I found it on the first plant I looked at it is likely to be very under-recorded. Timing is important - the larva only makes a case in its final instar, so there is probably only a brief window of opportunity in which the cases can be found.