Donacaula mucronella
Donacaula mucronella
Adult • South Uist, Western Isles • © Stephen Duffield

63.122 BF1330

Donacaula mucronella

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)


Wingspan c. 22-35 mm.

A sexually dimorphic species, the females larger than the males and with a more pointed forewing. This is a relatively plain moth, with a distinct pale streak along the costa.

The larval foodplants are reeds and sedges, especially common reed (Phragmites australis) and greater pond-sedge (Carex riparia), the larvae feeding internally in the stems.

The flight period of the adult moths is June and July, sometimes August, and the species has a disjunct distribution, occurring in southern and south-eastern England as well as parts of northern Scotland.
back to top