Little Conch - Cochylis dubitana.

Little Conch - Cochylis dubitana. A micro moth species from the family of Tortricidae , subfamily Tortricinae. The moth has a wingspan of about 13 mm. The white head and blackish thorax can distinguish it from two similar relatives. This moth is on the wing in June and again in August and has two generations. Its habitat Is most likely to be encountered where the larval foodplants are plentiful. It seems to prefer dry limestone areas in some regions. The species’ life history is that the larvae in July and August to April, feed inside flowers and developing seedheads of various Compositae, including Ragwort, Perennial sow-thistle and Hawkbeards. Pupation takes place in April and May, and in July, it is in a cocoon on the ground among debris. It is distributed widely in the south of the UK but becomes scarcer northwards. The species is widespread and classified as common in the UK.

Tags: Little Conch - Cochylis dubitana.