Cochylis pallidana, the sheep's-bit conch, is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It was described by Zeller in 1847.
Cochylis pallidana has a wingspan of 11–14 mm.[1] This species is very similar to Cochylis nana. It can be distinguished by the absence of ochreous suffusion in the basic colour of the forewings.[2] Meyrick describes it - Head white. Thorax dark fuscous mixed with whitish. Forewings with costa slightly arched; ochreous-whitish, with faint greyish ochreous strigulae, costa strigulated with blackish; base and costa towards base suffusedly dark fuscous; a dark fuscous blackish -marked median fascia, narrowed on costa, broadly interrupted with pale ochreous above middle; a dark grey posterior transverse streak, sometimes extending to termen.Hindwings grey. Larva rose-pink, greenish-tinged; head and plate of 2 brown or black-brown:[3] Julius von Kennel provides a full description.[4]
The larvae feed on Jasione montana. They feed within the seedheads of their host plant. The species overwinters in a cocoon.[2] Adults are on wing from May to early August in two generations per year.[5]
It is found in most of Europe,[6] Asia Minor, Lebanon and Russia.[7] The habitat consists of dry pastures, downland and sand-dunes.