Tortricidae

49.127 Thistle Straw Aethes cnicana (Westwood, 1854)

Common

Similar species: Aethes rubigana is on average slightly larger with a wider dorsal band that has a large curved indentation on its outer edge.

Forewing: 6.5 to 8mm

Habitats: Grazing land, wasteland, arable field margins, downland and wherever the foodplants are present.

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

Foodplant: The young larva feeds on the seeds of Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Cabbage Thistle and other thistles in the genus Cirsium. In a later instar it bores into the stem to feed on the pith. The full-fed larva overwinters in the stem, then pupates there in late April.