34.004 BF898 – Bulrush Down Moth – Limnaecia phragmitella – (Stainton, 1851)
Adult Micro: CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –
– click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
– click for General Verification Guidelines | – click for Specific Verification Guidelines 
– Generally Common / Widespread
– 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 *** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Blue-coded] moths is not displayed/updated in this tab. However, all verified records for this moth are listed in the RECORDS tab below. Selected Images: Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison ©
Image Gallery
No gallery images found for this moth.
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1993 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 2005 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.
Distribution Map for Limnaecia phragmitella
Found 93 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 37 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 56 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 37 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 56 from Before 2020
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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.
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%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Limnaecia phragmitella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Limnaecia phragmitella
Limnaecia phragmitella
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 2020-2026.
Records Behind the Map and Charts - Limnaecia phragmitella – 93 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry's Wood, Smisby | SK32K | 13/10/2025 | 1 | Larva | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50351981 |
| upper cromford garden | SK25Y | 29/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Ashton, Clive | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44038699 |
| Markham Vale South Tip | SK47K | 17/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Radford, Mark | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43666418 |
| Belper, Derbyshire | SK34N | 13/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Newcombe, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44235085 |
| Findern, Derbyshire | SK33A | 11/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Hallam, Brian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43392127 |
| Froggatt, Hope Valley | SK27N | 10/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Barnacle, Bryan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43285782 |
| Aston-on-Trent, Derbyshire | SK43A | 10/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Waldron, Robert | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43203286 |
| Darwin Forest | SK26X | 05/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43066126 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 05/07/2025 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48391210 |
| Midway, Derbys. | SK32A | 30/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Williams, Michael | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43042281 |
| Sandiacre Garden | SK43T | 30/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Milnes, Emily | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC51102275 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 30/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40190124 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 29/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40188408 |
| Sandiacre | SK43S | 25/07/2024 | 1 | adult | paul buxton | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37665570 |
| Orchid Wood | SK43L | 23/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37476138 |
| Midway, Derbys. | SK32A | 18/07/2024 | 2 | adult | Williams, Michael | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC39954547 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 18/07/2024 | 2 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40044868 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 19/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33497086 |
| Melbourne, Derbyshire | SK32S | 27/07/2023 | 2 | adult | Shervill, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC32080058 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 21/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33496783 |
| Markham Vale South Tip | SK47K | 12/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Morris, Sid | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC31570759 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 07/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33496705 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 23/06/2023 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33496540 |
| Belper | SK34U | 21/07/2022 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35316657 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 19/07/2022 | 9 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27846524 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 16/07/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27846493 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 13/07/2022 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48193510 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 07/07/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27846461 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 02/07/2021 | 4 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33498589 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 06/08/2020 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33501953 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 01/08/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33501889 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 21/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33501665 |
| Wood Lane, Newhall, Swadlincote | SK22V | 17/07/2020 | 1 | adult | BUDWORTH, Mr D. | Danes_2019-2021 | 535 |
| Melbourne, Derbyshire | SK32X | 17/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33554405 |
| Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZ | SK33A | 17/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Brian and Jean Hallam | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35163240 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 17/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33501568 |
| Belper | SK34N | 24/06/2020 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35553899 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 07/07/2019 | 1 | adult | HILL, Mr B.J.N. | Danes_2019-2021 | 1451 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 02/08/2016 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33504956 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 23/07/2016 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33504779 |
| Wood Lane,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 21/07/2016 | 2 | Adult | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP9PG |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 20/07/2016 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33504690 |
| Sheffield, England, United Kingdom | SK38L | 19/07/2016 | 1 | Adult | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC9893048 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 18/07/2016 | 4 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34060045 |
| Norton Lees garden | SK38L | 18/07/2016 | 1 | Adult | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC4415259 |
| Wood Lane,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 15/07/2016 | 3 | Adult | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP9OX |
| Waingroves Wood Moth and Bat Event | SK44E | 08/08/2015 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33505978 |
| Jim Mart Nature Reserve | SK36S | 22/07/2014 | 1 | Adult | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34906864 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 19/07/2014 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33507146 |
| Shipley Park (visitor centre), Ilkeston | SK44H | 19/07/2014 | 2 | Adult | BUDWORTH, Mr D., CLARKE, Mr D.A., SEWELL, Mr B.G., | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COV2U |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 05/07/2014 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33506904 |
| Not given | SK43S | 03/07/2014 | 1 | Adult | Viles, Ian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC1161599 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 08/08/2013 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33509459 |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 12/08/2012 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33511496 |
| Shipley Park, Mapperley Res | SK44G | 10/08/2012 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33515969 |
| Shipley Park (Mapperley Resr), Ilkeston | SK44G | 10/08/2012 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP8EG |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 01/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | D. Grundy | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP9TR |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 03/07/2011 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33513298 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 03/07/2011 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COXQU |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 15/08/2010 | 1 | Adult | D. Grundy | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP9RX |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 10/07/2010 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33515048 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 10/07/2010 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COTCN |
| Midway Rd,Midway,Swadlincote | SK32A | 09/07/2010 | 1 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP5V4 |
| Midway Rd,Midway,Swadlincote | SK32A | 02/07/2010 | 1 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP5OM |
| Backgarden Marehay | SK34Z | 01/07/2010 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33514837 |
| Bamford St,Ripley | SK34Z | 01/07/2010 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COT8G |
| Midway, Derbys. | SK32A | 25/07/2009 | 1 | adult | Williams, Michael | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41991086 |
| Midway Rd,Midway,Swadlincote | SK32A | 25/07/2009 | 1 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COWUA |
| Midway, Derbys. | SK32A | 10/07/2009 | 10 | adult | Williams, Michael | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41990990 |
| Midway Rd,Midway,Swadlincote | SK32A | 10/07/2009 | 10 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSU6 |
| Bristol Rd,Ilkeston | SK44R | 10/07/2009 | 2 | Adult | S.L.P. Whiteley | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZB0 |
| Midway, Derbys. | SK32A | 03/07/2009 | 1 | adult | Williams, Michael | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41990922 |
| Midway Rd,Midway,Swadlincote | SK32A | 03/07/2009 | 1 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP4V2 |
| Bristol Rd,Ilkeston | SK44R | 30/06/2009 | 2 | Adult | S.L.P. Whiteley | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSSA |
| Bristol Rd,Ilkeston | SK44R | 28/06/2009 | 2 | Adult | S.L.P. Whiteley | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP4T7 |
| Midway Rd,Midway,Swadlincote | SK32A | 25/07/2008 | 1 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP4FB |
| Foremark Resr, Ticknall | SK32H | 25/07/2008 | 1 | Adult | M.J. Williams | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COSKP |
| Lathkill Dale (along woodland trackside), Bakewell | SK16Y | 04/08/2007 | 1 | Adult | Dave Budworth;M.E. Dawson;S.L.P. Whiteley | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP41Y |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 01/08/2005 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678563 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 01/08/2005 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVVO |
| Foremark Resr, Ticknall | SK32H | 09/07/2005 | 1 | Adult | A. Davison;N. Topliss;W. Soar | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP2MV |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 01/07/2005 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678562 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 01/07/2005 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVT0 |
| Hadfields Quarry DWT Reserve | SK18R | 18/05/2005 | 1 | larva | Steve Price @ Sorby NHS outing | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49621283 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 04/08/2004 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678561 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 04/08/2004 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COVPJ |
| Toyota Site, Burnaston | SK23V | 28/07/2004 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678560 |
| Burnaston (Toyota Plant NR), Derby | SK23V | 28/07/2004 | 1 | Adult | A. Davison;P. Precey;W. Soar | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP26C |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 27/07/2004 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678559 |
| Main St,Kings Newton,Melbourne | SK32Y | 27/07/2004 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZ66 |
| Edgecote Drive,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 21/07/2004 | 4 | Adult | Topliss, Neil | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP225 |
| Calke Park (Betty's Pool),Ticknall | SK32R | 29/07/1997 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001COZML |
| Parkway, New Mills | SK08D | 01/06/1993 | 1 | Adult | J. Potts;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001CP10C |