Neocochylis molliculana

Alternative names
Tawny-fronted Straw
Ox-tongue Conch
Cochylis molliculana
Description

Forewing length 6 to 8 mm. Head and thorax are yellowish brown mottled darker brown. Forewing is creamy with pale orangey brown and pale greyish brown suffusion, especially before termen; a broad oblique cross band from the dorsum at one half.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Various habitats including waste ground, allotments and field margins especially where the larval food plant, Bristly Ox-tongue, is present.

When to see it

Mid May to early October.

Life History

The larval food plant is Bristly Ox-tongue. The species is probably double brooded.

UK Status

A recent colonist, but now well established along the south coast of England and seems to be spreading inland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Local.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Queniborough record of 18th August 2015 is the first for VC55. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
49.138 BF964a

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Ox-tongue Conch
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Tortricidae
Records on NatureSpot:
46
First record:
18/08/2015 (Tinning, John)
Last record:
24/08/2025 (McKeating, Ron)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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