73.1 BF2391

Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima

(Tauscher, 1806)

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Wingspan 29-36 mm.

A rather unusual species, which has a number of distinctive forms, and can resemble some of the Pyralidae.

It is readily attracted to light and flies from June to August in its favoured habitat, reedbeds.

Distributed locally in the south and south-east of England, with scattered colonies elsewhere in Britain.

The larvae are partially carnivorous, feeding on insects, including pupae of other wainscots, internally within the stems of common reed (Phragmites australis).