Species Account
Distribution
Summary Data
Season (Adult / Immature):
|
National Status: Common Local Status: Common and fairly widespread resident. Local Record: Grade 1 See here for explanation Flight time: One generation, Jul-Aug. Forewing: M 21-25mm. F 28-35mm. Foodplant: Coarse grasses and reeds. |
Record breakdown:
VC9 | VC8 | VC5 | VC11 | Region | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year first recorded | 1905 | 2002 | 2007 | 1985 | 1905 |
Year last recorded | 2011 | 2002 | 2007 | 2011 | 2011 |
Number of records | 1797 | 1 | 1 | 179 | 3956 |
Number of individuals | 4114 | 1 | 6 | 352 | 8946 |
Unique positions | 365 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 784 |
Unique locations | 256 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 560 |
Adult records | 1554 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 3462 |
Immature records | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 42 |
For the region, we have a total of 3956 records from 560 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1905.
Photos
Species Account
For further information refer UK Moths.
Davey, P., 2009: A common species over England and Wales, less frequent further north, the larva feeding on broad-bladed grass species such as common reed (Phragmites australis), cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). The nocturnal- feeding caterpillar can be found characteristically in-situ on the stem of its foodplant during the day. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and common, but rises to abundant in reedbeds, inland marshes, river and stream valleys, and the moister woods. It is locally abundant on coastal grassland on chalky soil, notably on Portland, St Alban's Head and Durlston, and in this drier biotype the foodplant is likely to be tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum).
See background to species accounts. Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species