73.137 BF2377  –  Noctuidae –  Xyleninae – Arenostola phragmitidis – Fen Wainscot Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >> .  . >>  Noctuidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: An unmistakable species. The smooth rather slender moth with a broad unmarked forewing being a light reddish-brown or light greyish-straw. Sometimes darker in colour tones. The colour becomes darker towards the outer edge of the wings.
Distribution:  (First record: 1991 )  –  (Last record: 26 August 2024 at Markham Vale Complex )  –  A rare and localised species in Derbyshire, and a  new colonist to the county when first recorded in 1991. Two more records in the 90’s and the first record for the decade in 2008 from Darley Dale. Small numbers are being recorded each year.
Flight Period: July /  August /  –  On the wing July – August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Simon Roddis  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 6 May 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 32-36mm
Forewing: 14-16mm
Food Plant: Common reed (Phragmites australis).
First Recorded Year: 1991
Last Recorded By – Sid Morris
Last Recorded General Area – Markham Vale Complex

IMAGES BELOW:  Darley Dale, Derbyshire – Simon Roddis©

Distribution Map for Arenostola phragmitidis

derbyshiremoths.org © makes no guarantee of accuracy of data used in these maps and charts – they are presented to you with best endeavours and the data behind them updated periodically as time permits. Historic records are being discovered all the time. These will be assessed, so once they are all verified, they will be incorporated onto the map and charts.

Found 13 records
    ↳ 0 from After 2025
    ↳ 6 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 7 from Before 2020

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******* Choose ONLY one at a time, of either Monad, Tetrad or Hectad Distribution - each has it's own set of data. Also, the distribution maps cover ALL recorded data. *******

Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


Monthly Records By Year: Arenostola phragmitidis

Monthly Counts By Year: Arenostola phragmitidis

Recordings By Year: Arenostola phragmitidis

Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Arenostola phragmitidis
AGR: 1.47%   |   Total % Change: 42.1%
Years Analysed: 2000 – 2024

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Arenostola phragmitidis

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Arenostola phragmitidis

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2025.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Arenostola phragmitidis – 13 records available

Listed by Year - descending

TaxonSite NameTetradYearDateCountStage
Arenostola phragmitidisMarkham Vale DerbyshireSK47L202426/08/20241adult
Arenostola phragmitidisMarkham Vale DerbyshireSK47L202425/07/20241adult
Arenostola phragmitidisMarkham Vale DerbyshireSK47L202310/08/20237adult
Arenostola phragmitidisMarkham Vale DerbyshireSK47L202305/07/20231adult
Arenostola phragmitidisWoodland AveSK43R202328/07/20231adult
Arenostola phragmitidisWoodland AveSK43R202120/07/20211adult
Arenostola phragmitidisPleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X201825/07/20181Adult
Arenostola phragmitidisPleasley NR (Pit Head)SK46X201213/08/20121Adult
Arenostola phragmitidisThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200830/07/20081Adult
Arenostola phragmitidisStevens Rd, SandiacreSK43T199527/07/19951Adult
Arenostola phragmitidisHolbrook Heath, KillamarshSK48K199430/07/19942Adult
Arenostola phragmitidisDeerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K199117/07/19911Adult
Arenostola phragmitidisDeerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K199117/07/19911Adult

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