Common Wainscot
Mythimna pallens
This record describes Mythimna pallens (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30-35 mm. With a similar distribution to the Smoky Wainscot ( M. impura ). The two moths show some variation and can resemble one another, but this species generally has much cleaner whitish hindwings. In the south there are two generations, flying from May to October; further north there is just one, in July and August. Occurring over much of Britain, this is a common species. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Mythimna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassland, woodland rides and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
In the south there are two generations, flying from May to October; further north there is just one, in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Grasses make up the larval foodplants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring over much of Britain, this is a common species. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mythimna pallens. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Wainscot (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Wainscot
What is Common Wainscot?
Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Common Wainscot found?
Habitat: Grassland, woodland rides and gardens.
When is Common Wainscot active?
Common Wainscot: seasonal activity - In the south there are two generations, flying from May to October; further north there is just one, in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Common Wainscot?
Grasses make up the larval foodplants.