Pancalia leuwenhoekella       Aproaerema sangiella
34.004 BF898  –  Cosmopterigidae –  Cosmopteriginae – Limnaecia phragmitella – Bulrush Down Moth – (Stainton, 1851) Adult Micro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive Species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Cosmopterigidae  >> Cosmopteriginae
Other Name/s: Bulrush Cosmet
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A slim, slender moth with a yellowish-brown forewing with an indistinct brownish line from about one third with two white edged dark spots. A tufted appearance to wing tips.
Distribution:  A fairly common moth throughout the county wherever there is Reedmace. Generally recorded down the eastern side of the county.
General Comment: None Flight Period: June /  July /  August –  On the wing July – August from dusky into the night Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 16-22mm
 Food Plant: Bullrush (Typha sp.)
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
Selected Images:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison ©

34.004 BF898 - Cosmopterigidae - Cosmopteriginae - Limnaecia phragmitella
Limnaecia phragmitella
34.004 BF898 - Cosmopterigidae - Cosmopteriginae - Limnaecia phragmitella

 
 

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Distribution Map for Limnaecia phragmitella

Found 88 records
    ↳ 8 from After 2025
    ↳ 25 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 55 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

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.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Limnaecia phragmitella

⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.


Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Limnaecia phragmitella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Limnaecia phragmitella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Limnaecia phragmitella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Limnaecia phragmitella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Limnaecia phragmitella
AGR: -1.68%   |   Total % Change: -30%


CUSUM Analysis: Limnaecia phragmitella
About this chart: CUSUM (Cumulative Sum) charts track long-term trends in moth populations [ filtered by 'Adult' and 'Mine' life stages ] by showing whether each year’s counts are above or below the historical average. Even small shifts build up over time, making trends of growth, stability, or decline easier to see. CUSUM highlights trend-consistency — asking: “Across the years, have moth counts mostly stayed above or below average?”
The data sample has 7 gap year/s here (zero records) between 2000 and 2025. The moth may have been present in those gap years, but no data was available. Too many year-gaps may exaggerate or skew the chart.

Counts for the current year (2025) are pro-rated based on data available up to month 9 (September) to provide a full-year equivalent.

ⓘ Purple line rises = years better than average; falls = years worse than average.
Peak (best year) Trough (worst year) Growth periods Decline periods
Population peaked around 2022, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2020, showing a significant decline.

What the Y-axis "Cumulative Deviation" means: Cumulative Deviation shows the running total of how each year’s moth population count differs from the long-term average. i

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Limnaecia phragmitella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Limnaecia phragmitella
( data includes Adult Stage only )

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 - Limnaecia phragmitella – 88 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
upper cromford gardenSK25Y29/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale South TipSK47K17/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N13/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A11/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Aston-on-Trent, DerbyshireSK43A10/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Froggatt, Hope ValleySK27N10/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darwin ForestSK26X05/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A30/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P30/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P29/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43S25/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Orchid WoodSK43L23/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A18/07/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R18/07/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R19/08/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32S27/07/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R21/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale South TipSK47K12/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R07/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R23/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U21/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R19/07/20229Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R16/07/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R07/07/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R02/07/20214adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R06/08/20203adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R01/08/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R21/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R17/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X17/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A17/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V17/07/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
BelperSK34N24/06/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X07/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z02/08/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z23/07/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V21/07/20162Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z20/07/20163adultvc57_irecords_extract
Sheffield, England, United KingdomSK38L19/07/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y18/07/20164Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees gardenSK38L18/07/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V15/07/20163Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Waingroves Wood Moth and Bat EventSK44E08/08/20151adultvc57_irecords_extract
Jim Mart Nature ReserveSK36S22/07/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z19/07/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shipley Park (visitor centre), IlkestonSK44H19/07/20142Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z05/07/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK43S03/07/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z08/08/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z12/08/20121adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shipley Park, Mapperley ResSK44G10/08/20121adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shipley Park (Mapperley Resr), IlkestonSK44G10/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
DovedaleSK15K01/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z03/07/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z03/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
DovedaleSK15K15/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z10/07/20101adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z10/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A09/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A02/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z01/07/20101adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z01/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway, Derbys.SK32A25/07/20091adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A25/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway, Derbys.SK32A10/07/200910adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A10/07/200910Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bristol Rd,IlkestonSK44R10/07/20092Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway, Derbys.SK32A03/07/20091adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A03/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bristol Rd,IlkestonSK44R30/06/20092Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bristol Rd,IlkestonSK44R28/06/20092Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H25/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A25/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (along woodland trackside), BakewellSK16Y04/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y01/08/20051Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y01/08/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H09/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y01/07/20051Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y01/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y04/08/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y04/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Toyota Site, BurnastonSK23V28/07/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Burnaston (Toyota Plant NR), DerbySK23V28/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y27/07/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y27/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V21/07/20044Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pool),TicknallSK32R29/07/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Parkway, New MillsSK08D01/06/19931Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

 
Pancalia leuwenhoekella       Aproaerema sangiella

Copyright Tony Davison © 2025 www.derbyshiremoths.org

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