Tortricidae

49.098 Kent Straw Cochylimorpha alternana (Stephens, 1834)

pRDB3

Similar species:

Forewing: 8 to 12mm

Habitats: Lowland grasslands where the foodplant is present, including grassy heathland and coastal downland.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The small larva overwinters in the base rosette of Greater Knapweed. It feeds in the late spring within an immature flower-bud on the developing seeds and florets, which is where it pupates. Frass attached to the stem below the flower head gives away the larvas presence.