Common Roller vs Common Tansy

Ancylis badiana compared with Tanacetum vulgare

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Roller	Common Tansy
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Asterales (Daisies & Sunflowers)
Family	Tortricidae	Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
Genus	Ancylis	Tanacetum
Species	Ancylis badiana	Tanacetum vulgare

Conservation Status

Common Roller

LC — Least Concern

Common Tansy

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Roller	Common Tansy
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Roller

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Tansy

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (China, Japan), Europe (13 countries), North America (Canada, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (4 countries).

Common Roller

<em>Ancylis badiana</em>, the common roller, is a small moth in the family Tortricidae, order Lepidoptera. It is distributed across northwestern Europe, with documented records from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, typically inhabiting woodland margins, hedgerows, scrubland, and areas where its larval host plants are abundant. The species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Tortricid moths in the genus Ancylis are commonly known as "rollers" or "leafrollers" because their larvae typically roll or fold leaves of host plants to create sheltered feeding structures. <em>Ancylis badiana</em> larvae feed on the foliage of various herbaceous plants, particularly species in the pea family (Fabaceae). Adults are small moths with intricately patterned wings that provide camouflage against bark and plant material. Adult moths are primarily nocturnal and are attracted to light, while larvae are cryptic within their leaf shelters. Biological traits such as lifespan, body measurements, and detailed diet host range remain poorly documented beyond general family-level characteristics. The species typically completes one to two generations per year in temperate European climates, overwintering as pupae. It is considered a minor component of invertebrate biodiversity in European lowland habitats.

Common Tansy

<em>Tanacetum vulgare</em>, common tansy, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, native to temperate regions of Asia and Europe and widely naturalized across North America, Australia, and South America. It typically grows in disturbed habitats, roadsides, riverbanks, and waste ground, forming dense colonies through vigorous rhizome spread. The plant bears deeply divided, fernlike leaves and clusters of bright yellow, button-like flower heads in late summer. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List given its expansive, growing range. Common tansy contains toxic compounds including thujone and camphor, making it poisonous to livestock and humans in large quantities, though historically it was used as a culinary herb and medicinal plant. Its strong aromatic scent has traditionally been used as an insect repellent. The species is considered invasive in several regions outside its native range. It provides nectar and pollen for various insects. Biological traits such as precise seed output figures, individual lifespan, and biomass data remain poorly documented in standardized assessments.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden