73.294 BF2197

Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea

(Treitschke, 1825)

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Wingspan 32-40 mm.

Having a scattered distribution throughout England and Wales, occupying reedbeds, it is commonest in the south and local further north into Cumbria. There are scattered records from various coastal sites in Ireland.

The moths fly in July and are attracted to light.

The overwintering larvae feed on reed (Phragmites) and canary grass (Phalaris), hiding in the stems during the day.