Triple-blotched Bell
Common NameTriple-blotched Bell
Scientific NameEucosma tripoliana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)16.5
Primary Colorsbrown, cream, black
HabitatCoastal saltmarshes, fens, and damp grasslands
Geographic RangeWestern and Central Europe, including the British Isles
Host PlantsSea Aster (*Aster tripolium*)
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae bore into the stems and roots of Sea Aster, feeding internally. Pupation occurs in a cocoon, often in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include the three distinct dark blotches on the forewings, the overall mottled brown and cream coloration, and its specific association with coastal and marshy habitats where its host plant, Sea Aster, is abundant.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with forewings mottled in shades of brown, cream, and black, featuring three prominent dark blotches that give it its common name.
