Webb's Wainscot - Globia sparganii

Description

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.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Frequents fens, marshes, brackish ditches and areas where the larval foodplants are present.

When to see it

The moths are on the wing in August and September, when the species can be attracted to light.

Life History

The larvae feed internally in the stems of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Reed-mace (Typha spp.) and similar water plants.

UK 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.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
73.151 BF2373

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Webb's Wainscot
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
33
First record:
12/09/2016 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
12/09/2025 (Orridge, Howard)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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