False Wainscot
Common NameFalse Wainscot
Scientific NameArenostola impura
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)31
Primary Colorspale brown, straw-yellow
HabitatWetlands, fens, marshes, damp meadows, reedbeds
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host PlantsPhragmites australis, various wetland grasses
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed inside the stems of wetland grasses, overwintering as larvae before pupating in spring. It is univoltine, producing one generation per year.
Identification TipsKey features include its generally uniform pale straw-yellow forewings with indistinct markings, distinguishing it from other wainscot moths which often have more prominent streaks or spots.
Description
This small to medium-sized moth has pale straw-yellow to light brown forewings, subtly speckled with darker scales and faint discal spots, while the hindwings are uniformly pale greyish-white.
