Southern Wainscot

Mythimna straminea

This record describes Mythimna straminea (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Wingspan 32 to 40 mm. The forewing has a brown streak along the pale central vein. The outer cross row of dark dots is usually well developed. This species can be hard to seperate from the Common Wainscot. Look out for the more angular wings, a different dot pattern on the forewing, dots on the hindwing and a line across the forehead (see http://www.northumberlandmoths.org.uk/files/idtips/2197-southern-wainscot.jpg ) The moths fly in July and are attracted to light. The overwintering larvae feed on reed ( Phragmites ) and canary grass ( Phalaris ), hiding in the stems during the day. Having a scattered distribution throughout England and Wales, it is commonest in the south and local further north into Cumbria. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
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

Found in reedbeds

Seasonal Activity

The moths fly in July and are attracted to light.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

The overwintering larvae feed on reed (

Additional species information

Recorded status

Having a scattered distribution throughout England and Wales, it is commonest in the south and local further north into Cumbria. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mythimna straminea. 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.

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