Tortricidae

49.051 Flax Tortrix Cnephasia asseclana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Common

Similar species: Cnephasia incertana is on average smaller (6 to 9mm), but has similar forms. Cnephasia stephensiana is on average larger (9 to 11mm), but has similar forms. For a positive identification check the genitalia.

Forewing: 7 to 10mm

Habitats: Open woodland, scrub, hedgerows, rough grassland and gardens.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day. It flies from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The polyphagous larva at first mines a leaf of its foodplant, then overwinters. In the spring it spins the leaves or flower-head of many herbaceous plants, including plantains, Meadow Vetchling, Wood Sage, docks, buttercups and Ox-eye Daisy. It has also been recorded from some trees including Wayfaring Tree, Almond Willow and the seedlings of Sitka Spruce. It pupates in the folded edge of a leaf or in the leaf litter.