Small Thistle Moth
Common NameSmall Thistle Moth
Scientific NameEucosma cana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)19
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black, orange
HabitatWaste ground, rough grassland, downland, gardens, and other areas with thistles
Geographic RangeEurope, including the British Isles, extending into parts of Asia
Host PlantsCirsium spp. (thistles), Carduus spp. (thistles)
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae bore into the roots and stems of various thistle species. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil or within the host plant, typically with one generation per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled grey-brown forewings with a distinctive brownish-orange basal streak and several prominent dark, often glossy, spots, particularly a large blotch near the tornus.
Description
A small moth with mottled forewings, displaying a mix of brown, grey, and black scales, often with a distinct brownish-orange streak near the base and prominent dark spots.
