Cochylis pallidana, the sheep's-bit conch, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It was described by Zeller in 1847.

Cochylis pallidana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Tortricidae
Genus:	Cochylis
Species:	C. pallidana
Binomial name
Cochylis pallidana Zeller, 1847[1]
Synonyms
Eupoecilia albicapitana Cooke, 1861 Conchylis dolosana Kennel, 1901 Conchylis glaseri Kasy, 1972

Description

Cochylis pallidana has a wingspan of 11–14 mm.[2] This species is very similar to Cochylis nana. It can be distinguished by the absence of ochreous suffusion in the basic colour of the forewings.[3] Meyrick describes it - Head white. Thorax dark fuscous mixed with whitish. Forewings with costa slightly arched ; ochreous-whitish, with faint greyish ochreous strigulae, costa strigulated with blackish ; base and costa towards base suffusedly dark fuscous ; a dark fuscous blackish -marked median fascia, narrowed on costa, broadly interrupted with pale ochreous above middle ; a dark grey posterior transverse streak, sometimes extending to termen. Hindwings grey.Larva rose-pink, greenish-tinged ; head and plate of 2 brown or blackbrown: [4]Julius von Kennel provides a full description. [5]

Biology

The larvae feed on Jasione montana. They feed within the seedheads of their host plant. The species overwinters in a cocoon.[3] Adults are on wing from May to early August in two generations per year.[6]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in most of Europe,[7] Asia Minor, Lebanon and Russia.[8] The habitat consists of dry pastures, downland and sand-dunes.

References