Donacaula forficella - Distribution map

Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.

As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.

In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.

View the NBN Atlas Map

63.121 BF1329

Donacaula forficella

(Thunberg, 1794)


Wingspan 24-32 mm.

Inhabiting marshy areas, ditches and similar habitats, the larva of this species has a peculiar habit of cutting part of a leaf to act as a raft, using this to float on the water to a new foodplant when necessary.

The moths fly in June and July and are usually encountered at light.

Common reed (Phragmites australis) and similar plants are the larval foodplant, and the species is found in the southern half of Britain.
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