Colt's-foot Bell vs Thistle Bell

Epiblema sticticana compared with Epiblema scutulana

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Colt's-foot Bell	Thistle Bell
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (สัตว์ขาปล้อง)	Arthropoda (สัตว์ขาปล้อง)
Class same	Insecta (แมลง)	Insecta (แมลง)
Order same	Lepidoptera (ผีเสื้อ)	Lepidoptera (ผีเสื้อ)
Family same	Tortricidae	Tortricidae
Genus same	Epiblema	Epiblema
Species	Epiblema sticticana	Epiblema scutulana

Evolutionary Relationship

Colt's-foot Bell and Thistle Bell share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Epiblema.

Conservation Status

Colt's-foot Bell

LC — Least Concern

Thistle Bell

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Colt's-foot Bell	Thistle Bell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Colt's-foot Bell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Thistle Bell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Colt's-foot Bell

<em>Epiblema sticticana</em>, the colts-foot bell moth, is a tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae with known occurrences in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. This species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN and occupies terrestrial and freshwater-associated habitats across its northern European range. The common name refers to the larval association with coltsfoot (<em>Tussilago farfara</em>) and possibly related Asteraceae, on which the caterpillars are believed to feed, a dietary habit typical of tortricid moths that specialise on particular host plant genera. Bell moths are named for the bell-shaped posture adults adopt when at rest on vegetation. <em>Epiblema sticticana</em> likely completes one or two generations per year within its temperate European range, with adults active during spring and summer months. The forewings typically display the intricate patterning of browns, greys, and strigulae characteristic of the genus, providing effective camouflage against bark and dead plant material. As a herbivorous insect, this species contributes to nutrient cycling through plant tissue consumption and serves as prey for insectivorous birds and bats. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

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