regularly, but rarely the main vein. The blotch mines 
originate from the consumption of the entire content of 
the leaf. Because of this, the mine is whitish and 
transparent. On sandy soil and the dunes, where the host 
plant is usually found, the mines remain relatively intact. 
However, aging of the mines is well visible, given a 
certain experience (Fig. 3). The caterpillars can be found 
from September to May. After hibernation the 
caterpillars cease eating (Patzak 1974). 
It is thought that three generations appear each year: 
the first one right after hibernation in May-June, the 
second one in summertime (July-August) and the third 
generation during autumn (September-October). 
Figs.7-8. Coleophora. saponariella Heeger, 1848; 
7.-adult, Belgium, West-Vlaanderen, De Panne, mine 07.vii.2010, e.l. 24.viii.2010, leg. and photo C. Snyers. 
8 - adult, Belgium, West-Vlaanderen, De Panne, mine 31.vii.2010, .e.l.24.viii.2010, leg. and photo C. Snyers. 
Distribution 
So far, this species is found in Belgium in two distinct 
areas: in the Coastal dunes (maritime phytogeographical 
district) and in the Famenne (mosan district). According 
to the distribution of the host plant, Saponaria officinalis, 
the species could also exist in other localities. The third 
author has conducted research in 2011 and 2012 in the 
surroundings of Gembloux as well as in the valley of the 
Meuse between Liège and Huy, but without success. 
C. saponariella was recently also discovered in the 
Netherlands by Arnold Scheurs (27th June 2010, Limburg, 
Vlodrop-Station). He writes the following on C. 
saponariella-. "conducting searches in springtime is little 
effective because the larvae are moving around. During 
autumn, hundreds of cases were discovered. The results 
of breeding were satisfying: out of 40 larvae, 30 imagos 
emerged. After hibernation the larvae become active 
again. When found, they were put in jars with small 
branches to stimulate pupation." 
In Europe, Coleophora saponariella is found in 
Sweden and Denmark and in the entire Western and 
Central Europe except in Great Britain and Ireland. In 
Southern Europe it is recorded only from Portugal and 
Italy. In Eastern Europe the species is mentioned from 
Poland, Slovakia, Croatia and Rumania (Baldizzone & van 
der Wolf 2012). 
Acknowledgements 
Special thanks to Willem N. Ellis for providing the 
references of literature, to Willy De Prins for 
proofreading the text and for writing the résumé, to 
Arnold Scheurs for the data of the Netherlands and 
Johan De Prins for the translation in English. 
References 
Baldizzone G. & van der Wolf H. 2012. Fauna Europaea - Coleophoridae. - In: Karsholt O. & van Nieukerken E. J. (Eds.) Fauna 
Europaea: Lepidoptera, Moths. Fauna Europaea version 2.5. — www.faunaeur.org [accessed 13 December 2012], 
De Prins W. & Steeman C. 2013. Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium. — www.phegea.org [accessed 13 December 2012]. 
Heeger C. 1848. Beytrage zur Naturgeschichte der Kerfe, in Beziehung auf ihren verschiedenen Lebenszustande, ihre Feinde in 
jedem Zustande, und ihre Nahrung, mit erlauternden Fehderzeichnungen. — Isis , Enzyclopadische Zeitschrift, vorzüglich für 
Naturgeschichte, vergleichende Anatomie und Physiologie, von Oken 1848(5): 321-348, pis. 3-6. 
Patzak H. 1974. Beitrage zur Insektenfauna der DDR: Lepidoptera - Coleophoridae. — Beitrage zur Entomologie 24(5/8): 153-278. 
ISSN 0771-5277 
Phegea 41 (3) 01.ix.2013: 71 
