Crocidosema plebejana
Southern Bell
Wingspan 12 to 16 mm.
Various habitats including parks and gardens.
The moths fly mainly between July and October, and can be found on the wing from early evening, after which they will come to light.
The larvae feed on Tree-mallow (Lavatera arborea) and related species, internally in the seed capsules and shoots.
A fairly recent colonist to the British Isles, first discovered in south Devon in 1900. It is now frequent in the south, and is expanding its range. It is thought to have been introduced from warmer climes. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The moth taken in Leicester Forest East garden 15 October 2017 is the first record for this species in VC55.
Pete Leonard
Harby
14 August 2025
Adrian Russell
Evington garden
01 December 2018
Graham Calow
Sapcote, Harecroft Crescent
09 September 2022
Dave Gamble
Leicester Forest East garden
15 October 2017
Pete Leonard
Harby
14 August 2025
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Species profile
- Common names
- Southern Bell, Tree-mallow Tortrix
- Species group:
- insect - moth
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Tortricidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 5
- First record:
- 15/10/2017 (Gamble, David)
- Last record:
- 13/11/2025 (Hollingworth, Jane)
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