Webb's Wainscot
Common NameWebb's Wainscot
Scientific NameArchanara sparganii
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Primary Colorsyellowish-brown, reddish-brown, dark brown
HabitatWetlands, fens, marshes, reedbeds
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of temperate Asia
Host PlantsBulrush (Typha spp.), Bur-reed (Sparganium spp.), Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus)
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed internally within the stems of aquatic plants, pupating inside the stem. The species overwinters as an egg.
Identification TipsLook for its characteristic straw-yellow to reddish-brown forewings with a variable dark central streak and speckling, found specifically in wetland habitats.
Description
A medium-sized moth with straw-yellow to reddish-brown forewings, often featuring a darker central streak and scattered dark speckles, providing excellent camouflage.
