Buff-tipped Eucosma Moth
Common NameBuff-tipped Eucosma Moth
Scientific NameEucosma cana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)18.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, dark brown, buff
HabitatDry grasslands, heathland, waste ground, gardens, thistle patches
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia (e.g., Turkey, Iran, Kazakhstan, Siberia)
Host PlantsCirsium, Carduus
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae bore into the roots and stems of thistles, pupating in the soil. There is typically one generation per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the characteristic buff-colored apex of the forewing, which contrasts with the darker, mottled brown basal and central areas. The moth has a relatively stout body for its size.
Description
A small, stout-bodied moth characterized by its mottled brown forewings, a darker central patch, and a distinctive pale, buff-colored tip at the apex.
