Eucosma cana

(Haworth, 1811)

Hoary Bell

Eucosma cana, commonly known as the hoary bell, is a small tortricid with a wingspan of 16–23 mm. It is widespread across Europe, parts of Asia including China and Japan, and Central Asia. The is , with active from June to August. Larvae develop within the flowerheads of thistles and related plants, feeding on Cirsium, Carduus, and Centaurea nigra.

Eucosma cana by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.(1201) Eucosma cana (3706478646) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Eucosma cana (52101261503) by Ben Sale from Stevenage, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eucosma cana: /juːˈkɒzmə ˈkeɪnə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the similar Eucosma hohenwartiana by its lighter forewing ground colour and presence of longitudinal lighter streaks; E. hohenwartiana has darker forewings lacking these streaks. The combination of light brown or greyish forewings with longitudinal discal streaks, reddish-brown , and feathered wing edges is diagnostic.

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Appearance

Body length approximately 11.5 mm. reddish-brown. light brownish on sides, dark brownish in middle. Forewings elongate, ground colour light brown or greyish with light longitudinal discal streaks; edges feathered; half of with very oblique whitish strigulae, abruptly ceasing at one-third; ocellus metallic-edged with one or two incomplete black dashes; termen sinuate. Hindwings dark gray toward margins; in male pale grey with darker terminal area, in female darker overall.

Habitat

Flower meadows, rough grounds, and waysides. Associated with supporting thistle .

Distribution

Most of Europe; China (Zhejiang, Fujian, Henan, Guangdong, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Xinjiang); Japan; Central Asia; Russia; Kazakhstan.

Seasonality

on wing June to August in a single . Larvae present August to May.

Diet

Larvae feed on flowerheads of Cirsium , Carduus species, and Centaurea nigra (black knapweed). diet not documented.

Host Associations

  • Cirsium - larval flowerheads
  • Carduus - larval flowerheads
  • Centaurea nigra - larval flowerheads

Life Cycle

. emerge June–August. Larvae develop within thistle flowerheads from August through May, reaching 10–11 mm in length; pale orange or dark ocher, broad and somewhat flat in form. occurs within the flowerhead or surrounding substrate.

Ecological Role

Herbivore; larval feeding on thistle flowerheads may influence seed production of plants. Part of the supporting and of tortricid larvae.

Human Relevance

Not a significant pest of economic crops; primarily associated with wild thistles. Presence in flower meadows may indicate quality for -associated plants.

Similar Taxa

  • Eucosma hohenwartianaSimilar size and general appearance, but distinguished by darker forewing ground colour and absence of longitudinal lighter streaks present in E. cana.

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Sources and further reading