Common yellow conch
At rest, this small moth folds its rust-marked yellow wings so the pattern lines up into what looks like a tiny smiling face on its back.
| Where | Grassland, field margins and wasteland |
|---|---|
| Size | 15 to 24 mm wingspan |
| When | May to August |
The Common yellow conch has a wingspan of about 15 to 24 mm, with bright yellow forewings crossed by rust-brown streaks and a small arched mark, and greyish hindwings that contrast with the colourful front pair.
Caterpillars feed on the roots of thistles and knapweeds, and the adults fly at night through summer, often coming to light traps in grassland, field margins and other open, flower-rich ground.
Traits
Habitat
Grassland
Colour
Yellow, Brown
Active
Night
To people
Attracted to light; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Similar size at 15 to 25 mm wingspan and the same yellow and rust colouring, but shows a more distinct brown ring near the wing tip than the Common yellow conch.
Questions
Is the Common yellow conch dangerous to people?
Attracted to light; harmless to people.
When can you see the Common yellow conch?
The Common yellow conch can be seen from May to August, at night.
Plate retouched from a photo by Janet Graham, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Tortrix moths›Agapeta
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.