Robin Knill-Jones has been finding active mines of Coleophora solitariella recently on Greater Stitchwort Rabelera (was Stellaria) holostea adjacent to Great Halings Wood near Denham Green in the far south-east of Bucks. Classified as Nationally Scarce, this is a species I've never seen. The literature suggests that the adult rarely comes to light and I'd have to agree with that. Of only three Bucks records of adults, two were from the Burnham Beeches RIS trap and the third was from a malaise trap on Stoke Common.
I had to go into Bernwood Forest this afternoon so decided to have a look at some of the Greater Stitchwort there myself. Luckily it is just coming into flower, making it reasonably obvious where to search, but I didn't really expect to find anything. However, a close look at the lower leaves of some sixty or seventy plants produced three which had appropriate feeding signs although only one had an active case present. Still, one was enough! Caution is needed in separating this species from Coleophora lithargyrinella (also Nationally Scarce, not yet found in Bucks although it is known from Berks & Oxon). It feeds in a similar way to solitariella at the same time of year but there are subtle differences in case construction.
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| Greater Stitchwort with mined leaves towards its base, Bernwood Forest 23rd April |
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| Active case of Coleophora solitariella on underside of leaf, Bernwood Forest 23rd April |
The plant is host to a third species too, Coleophora lutarea, but the larvae of that one feed on the seeds and only form a case when ready for pupation. As an adult it is a daytime flyer and can be found next month sitting on the flowers of the food-plant.
Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks
Well done, Dave! Found it at Bagley and Shotover this spring as well.
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