Grey Tortrix - Cnephasia stephensiana

Description

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. As its English name suggests, this is quite a greyish-brown moth. Specimens from the southern part of the British Isles are often darker than those from further north and Scotland, some of which have an almost whitish ground colour.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It can be found in a variety of habitats.

When to see it

Flying during July and August from dusk onwards.

Life History

The larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants.

UK Status

Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

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

Reference
49.050 BF1020

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
Grey Tortrix, Great Grey Shade, Common Grey Tortrix
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Tortricidae
Records on NatureSpot:
35
First record:
12/07/2011 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
16/06/2025 (Poole, Adam)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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