Gemeine Kugelschnecke vs Common oak case-bearer

Akera bullata compared with Coleophora lutipennella

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Gemeine Kugelschnecke	Common oak case-bearer
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Mollusca (Weichtiere)	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)
Class	Gastropoda (Schnecken)	Insecta (Insekten)
Order	Aplysiida (Aplysiida)	Lepidoptera (Schmetterlinge)
Family	Akeridae	Coleophoridae
Genus	Akera	Coleophora
Species	Akera bullata	Coleophora lutipennella

Evolutionary Relationship

Gemeine Kugelschnecke and Common oak case-bearer share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Tier)

Conservation Status

Gemeine Kugelschnecke

LC — Least Concern

Common oak case-bearer

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Gemeine Kugelschnecke	Common oak case-bearer
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Gemeine Kugelschnecke

Habitat

Typically found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats including forests and freshwater.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.

Common oak case-bearer

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Gemeine Kugelschnecke

The common bubble snail (<em>Akera bullata</em>) is a marine gastropod mollusc found in the coastal waters of Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. This species typically inhabits terrestrial and aquatic environments including forests and freshwater-adjacent marine areas, often occurring in shallow subtidal and intertidal zones of temperate European seas. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. As a member of the family Akeridae, the common bubble snail is characterized by its thin, fragile shell and its ability to swim briefly by flapping its large, wing-like parapodia. The species often forages on algae and detritus in sandy and muddy seafloor habitats, particularly in sheltered bays and estuaries. The common bubble snail typically aggregates in large numbers during the spawning season, producing gelatinous egg masses. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Common oak case-bearer

<em>Coleophora lutipennella</em>, the common oak case-bearer, is a small moth in the family Coleophoridae. The larvae of this species construct characteristic portable cases from plant material and their own silk, from which they feed on the leaves of their host plant. <em>Coleophora lutipennella</em> is associated with oak trees (Quercus species), which serve as the primary larval host, and the moth typically inhabits deciduous woodland, forest edges, and hedgerows where oaks are present. Its geographic range spans temperate Europe, with documented occurrences in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Biological traits such as lifespan, body size, and diet remain poorly documented at a formal population level for this species, though larval feeding on oak foliage is well established. Adults are small and inconspicuous, typically flying in summer. <em>Coleophora lutipennella</em> is part of a diverse guild of Lepidoptera associated with European oak woodland ecosystems, and contributes to the invertebrate prey base for insectivorous birds and other woodland predators.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden