Small Wainscot
Common NameSmall Wainscot
Scientific NamePhotedes pygmina
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)22
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, reddish-brown
HabitatWetlands, fens, marshes, damp meadows, reedbeds
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host PlantsPhragmites australis, Carex spp., Juncus spp.
Flight PeriodAugust to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed internally within the stems of various grasses and sedges. The species overwinters as an egg, and pupation occurs in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, slender build, and the characteristic dark central streak on the forewings, which are typically reddish-brown to tan. Often found in damp, reedy habitats.
Description
A small, slender moth with a furry, light brown body and forewings that are reddish-brown to tan, marked with a distinctive dark central streak and darker veins.
