Aethes rubigana, the burdock conch, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It was described by Treitschke in 1830. It is found in most of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and part of the Balkan Peninsula.[1] Outside of Europe, it is found in China (Beijing, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia), Japan and Russia.[2]
The wingspan is 15–. The forewings have a moderately arched costa. They pale ochreous, with several obscure shining whitish striae with a dark brown spot along the base of the costa. There is a narrow dark brown antemedian fascia, angulated above the middle and interrupted below the angle and abruptly dilated on the dorsum . The subterminal fascia is represented by dark brown spots on costa and dorsum, and a very indistinct spot between them. The hindwings are rather dark grey.[3]
Adults are on wing from late June to August in western Europe.[4]
The larvae feed on the seedheads Arctium species (including Arctium lappa and possibly Arctium minus). Full-grown larvae overwinter from October in a cocoon on the ground or occasionally in the seedhead. Pupation takes place within this cocoon.[5]