General comments
Widespread but very local resident.

Almost any reedmace growth will do as far as this moth is concerned and several records are from the plant growing in garden ponds. Larvae are very easily found by looking for stunted plants then pulling them apart in two directions from the top: as the stem splits to the base the larvae or pupae will be revealed feeding or pupating head downwards; if the larva or pupa is aligned head-upwards it will be Webb's Wainscot (or Rush Wainscot). Moorhens are particularly good at finding larvae and damaged stem bases may indicate a former presence. The melanic ab. fraterna Treitschke is recorded in particular in the Lea and Stort Valleys.

Recorded in 29 (71%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1896.
Last Recorded in 2024.