Large Wainscot
Rhizedra lutosa
This record describes Rhizedra lutosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 42 to 50 mm. This is a larger moth than the similar Common Wainscot and often has a more sooty appearance with numerous tiny black dust like spots. Ranges in ground colour from pale beige to a more pinky shade. The adults are readily attracted to light and are on the wing from August to October. The larvae feed in the bases of stems and the roots of common reed (Phragmites australis). This is a fairly common species in much of England, especially in the south and east. Further north and west it becomes more local, ranging into southern Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Apameini
- Genus
- Rhizedra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequents reed-beds and riversides.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are readily attracted to light and are on the wing from August to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed in the bases of stems and the roots of common reed (Phragmites australis).
Additional species information
Recorded status
This is a fairly common species in much of England, especially in the south and east. Further north and west it becomes more local, ranging into southern Scotland. 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 Rhizedra lutosa. 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 Large Wainscot (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Large Wainscot
What is Large Wainscot?
Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Large Wainscot found?
Habitat: Frequents reed-beds and riversides.
When is Large Wainscot active?
Large Wainscot: seasonal activity - The adults are readily attracted to light and are on the wing from August to October..
What is the life cycle of a Large Wainscot?
The larvae feed in the bases of stems and the roots of common reed (Phragmites australis).