Tortricidae

49.124 Narrow-barred Straw Aethes francillana (Fabricius, 1794)

Local

Similar species: Aethes beatricella has broader less oblique crossbands. Be aware there are other similar European Aethes spp. that could appear in times of migrant activity.

Forewing: 6 to 8.5mm

Habitats: Coastal slopes and sea-cliffs, quarries, chalk and limestone grassland.

Habits: The moth can be disturbed in the day. It flies around the foodplant at dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the developing seeds in spun flowers or a seed-head of Wild Carrot or sometimes Hog's Fennel, Rock Samphire or Hemlock. In the late autumn it bores into the lower stem and moves downwards through the pith before overwintering there. In the spring it moves back up the stem before it pupates, just below the entrance hole. There can be several larvae per stem. Their presence is indicated by white frass near small holes in the stem.