Downland Conch
Common NameDownland Conch
Scientific NameCochylis atricapitana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyTortricinae
Wingspan (mm)12.5
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorscream, orange, brown
HabitatChalk grasslands, downland, meadows, waste ground
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, Asia
Host Plantsthistles (Cirsium spp.), knapweeds (Centaurea spp.)
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed within the flowerheads of various Asteraceae, particularly thistles, pupating in a cocoon.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, the distinctive creamy and reddish-orange striped forewings, and its association with thistle-rich habitats.
Description
A small moth with creamy-yellow forewings marked by broad, irregular reddish-orange to brown transverse bands. The head is often darker.
