Yellow-faced Bell
Common NameYellow-faced Bell
Scientific NameEucosma hohenwartiana
FamilyTortricidae
SubfamilyOlethreutinae
Wingspan (mm)17
Primary Colorswhite, dark brown, grey, yellow
HabitatGrasslands, meadows, dry open areas, chalk downland
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, Asia Minor, Central Asia, North America
Host PlantsCentaurea, Carduus, Cirsium, Arctium
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed internally within the flowerheads of various thistle and knapweed species (Asteraceae), pupating either inside the flowerhead or in the soil. It typically has one generation per year.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the striking yellow-orange palps and face, the bell-shaped resting posture, and the mottled forewing pattern with a noticeable pale dorsal patch. Distinguishing it from very similar *Eucosma* species often requires microscopic examination of genitalia.
Description
A small moth characterized by its prominent, fluffy, bright yellow-orange palps and face. Its forewings are mottled with irregular patches of white, dark brown, and greyish scales, held in a distinctive bell-like shape at rest.
