Morris's Wainscot Photedes morrisii - 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.

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73.148 BF2346

Morris's Wainscot Photedes morrisii

(Dale, 1837)

[Synonyms: Photedes morrisii]

Wingspan 26-34 mm.

An extremely local resident species occurring only along the south-west coast of England between Dorset and Devon. Another race, P. morrisii bondii, known as Bond's Wainscot, even more restricted to a single area in Kent, may now be extinct.

The species occupies grassy slopes and cliffs along the coastline, and flies in June and July.

The larvae feed internally in the stems of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Like other internal feeders, they are creamy-white in colour.

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