Species Account

Select species and region:

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.

IMPORTANT - Please note that the maps and accounts are provisional, subject to change and further update. The whole dataset still needs to go through the final verification process and it is likely that a very small number of records will not satisfy the present requirements and there are other records that have not been formally submitted. The information is for guidance only.

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