Noctuidae

73.136 Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae (Thunberg, 1784)

Common

Similar species: Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa is the only similar sized resident wainscot (16 to 23mm), but that lacks the three strongly marked lengthways veins and the outer cross-line of small black darts and black marks along the base of the fringe.

Forewing: 20 to 24mm

Habitats: Marshes and fens. Lake, pond and ditch margins and estuaries.

Habits: The moth comes to light and occasionally the female is recorded far from the nearest suitable habitat.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in the upper, then lower region of the stem of Reedmace and sometimes Lesser Reedmace. It will change stems as it grows. It pupates in the stem of the final foodplant or in a dead stem.