Noctuidae

73.140 White-mantled Wainscot Archanara neurica (Hübner, [1808])

RDB

Similar species: Brown-veined Wainscot Archanara dissoluta lacks the white line on the edge of the collar and the white marks on the oval. Instead it just has white scales almost encircling the kidney mark. It has a central spot on the underside of the forewing and the hindwing.

Forewing: 12 to 13mm

Habitats: The edges of coastal reed-beds and reeds along the margins of ditches.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds inside the stems of Common Reed, about half way up the stem. It pupates head down in a reed stem.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Reed Canary-grass.