Mere Wainscot
Photedes fluxa
This record describes Photedes fluxa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 26 to 30 mm. A small 'Wainscot', with a variable ground colour, but usually displaying distinctively darker veins on the forewing. The larvae feed in the stems of Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos). Found in scattered localities throughout southern and central England. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Photedes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occurs in marshy places and fens.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed in the stems of Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos).
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found in scattered localities throughout southern and central England. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Photedes fluxa. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mere Wainscot
What is Mere Wainscot?
Mere Wainscot (Photedes fluxa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Mere Wainscot found?
Habitat: It occurs in marshy places and fens.
When is Mere Wainscot active?
Mere Wainscot: seasonal activity - Flies in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Mere Wainscot?
The larvae feed in the stems of Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos).