Cochylichroa atricapitana

Wingspan 12-16 mm. It differs from similar species by its dark head and thorax.

Areas containing Ragwort and other composite flowers.

The adults fly in two generations, in May and June and again around August.

The larvae feed on Common Ragwort. Early brood larvae in July start on the flowers and complete growth in the main stem, causing a swelling with an obvious hole where pupation occurs in a yellowish brown cocoon. The later larval brood feeds in September and October in the stems and rootstock and overwinters there until pupation in April.

Generally distributed throughout the British Isles, this species has a tendency to be most common around the coast and on chalky ground. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Quite common in Leicestershire and Rutland.L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)