Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Common.

See also Moth of the Week (24/06/2021).

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Identification

Usually distinctive.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae April to early July, feeding inside stems of the foodplant. Pupates a few centimetres from the ground inside the stem of the foodplant.

Larval foodplants

Common Reed.

Habitat

Reedbeds and ditches, but does wander into other habitats including gardens.

History

The first record for D&G (and for Scotland) was on 30 July 2021 when two were attracted to light at Blackcraig (VC 73). Further records came from the same site in 2022 and 2023 as well as nearby reedbeds on the River Cree.