ABH: 49.186
BF: 1097
Family: Tortricidae
Subfamily: Olethreutinae
Taxon: Endothenia gentianaeana
Authority: (Hübner, [1799])
Vernacular: Teasel Marble
Account: Common on rough ground and dry pastures throughout much of England and Wales, less numerous in the north Generally larger than other species of Endothenia, it has the forewing ground colour more extensively tinged with ochreous distally and a usually distinct pale grey or pale violaceous grey patch from the tornus reaching half way across the wing to near the middle [Bradley]. Larva feeds within seedheads of Wild Teasel: opening old heads in winter seldom fails to produce evidence of the larva in the central pith; the larva itself may either be found in the head or inside the stalk. This is perhaps the easiest way to determine presence of either marginana or gentianaeana: they can be separated by inspecting the posterior end for the presence of an anal comb and close inspection of the head capsule colour. E. marginana larvae have a black or dark brown head and possess a distinctive anal comb that is absent in E. gentianaeana. In contrast, E. gentianaeana larvae have a dark brown head (not black) and lack an anal comb.
Wingspan: 15 — 19 mm
Surrey Flight Period: 5 May (2007) — 22 Jul (2008)
Foodplant: Dipsacus fullonum (Wild Teasel).
Status: Common
UK BAP:
WCA:
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Verification Grade: 4 — ️‼️Dissection required️‼️
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/endothenia-gentianaeana/
* Based on adult records only.
Records: 36
Individuals: 60
Earliest Year: 1984
Latest Year: 2025