Webb's Wainscot
Globia sparganii
This record describes Globia sparganii (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 32 to 40 mm. This species is orange-brown to cream in colour and distinguished by the broad, blunt forewing, rounded at the tip. The amount of dark streaking also varies usually, crossing an outer row of black dots. There is also a row of small, but clear, black spots along the outer edge. The tip of the abdomen projects conspicuously beyond the wings at rest. Frequents fens, marshes, brackish ditches and areas where the larval foodplants are present. The moths are on the wing in August and September, when the species can be attracted to light. The larvae feed internally in the stems of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Reed-mace (Typha spp.) and similar water plants. Locally distributed, mainly around parts of the south coast and the coasts of East Anglia and south Wales. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Globia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequents fens, marshes, brackish ditches and areas where the larval foodplants are present.
Seasonal Activity
The moths are on the wing in August and September, when the species can be attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed internally in the stems of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Reed-mace (Typha spp.) and similar water plants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Locally distributed, mainly around parts of the south coast and the coasts of East Anglia and south Wales. 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 Globia sparganii. 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 Webb's Wainscot (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Webb's Wainscot
What is Webb's Wainscot?
Webb's Wainscot (Globia sparganii) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Webb's Wainscot found?
Habitat: Frequents fens, marshes, brackish ditches and areas where the larval foodplants are present.
When is Webb's Wainscot active?
Webb's Wainscot: seasonal activity - The moths are on the wing in August and September, when the species can be attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Webb's Wainscot?
The larvae feed internally in the stems of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Reed-mace (Typha spp.) and similar water plants.