REED DAGGER

ADULT: Wingspan 30 - 40mm. A plain looking moth best identified initially by the habitat.  The forewings are pale ochre with occasional sprinklings of dark spots,  The median, submedian and dorsal streaks are vague and brown in colour.  Sometimes the forewings sport a series of dark terminal spots.  The hindwings are white. CHRYSALIS: Pupates on the ground in a silken cocoon.  Overwinters as a pupa. LARVAE: Blackish or dark brown-grey with a pale-marbling; Longitudinal lines are pale ochreous-yellowish can be seen and the tubercles are yellow or orange. The head is black as are the hairs on the hairs. Feeding on Common Reed and other wetland plants such as Rushes, Willows and Fescues.  BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light in small numbers. HABITAT: Reedbeds and fens. FLIGHT PERIOD: Double brooded.  Flying in May and once more in July and August. STATUS: Confined to the East coast and southern Britain this is a somewhat rare moth.