Mere Wainscot
Common NameMere Wainscot
Scientific NameMythimna impura
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)34
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsstraw-yellow, light brown, grey
HabitatDamp grasslands, fens, marshes, reedbeds, wetlands
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsvarious grasses, common reed, sedges
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are greenish or brownish, feeding on various grasses and sedges, overwintering as larvae before pupating in the soil in spring.
Identification TipsKey features include the pale, unicolorous straw-yellow to light brown forewings with faint darker streaks along the veins, and a small, often indistinct discal spot. It is distinguished from similar wainscot moths by the overall pale appearance and specific wing markings.
Description
A small to medium-sized moth with straw-yellow to light brown forewings, often subtly streaked with darker longitudinal lines, and paler hindwings. Its coloration provides excellent camouflage against dried vegetation.
