19.001 BF470

Orthotelia sparganella

(Thunberg, 1788)

[Synonyms: Orthotaelia sparganella]

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Wingspan 20-28 mm.

A fairly distinctive species, with an ochreous or brownish wing colour and noticeably paler venation.

It is locally distributed from southern England northwards to southern Scotland, and occupies wet localities such as ponds and canals.

The adults fly in July and August and come sparingly to light.

Bur-reed (Sparganium) is the main foodplant, although other reeds and rushes are used. The larvae feed inside the stems.