Obscure Wainscot - Leucania obsoleta

Wingspan 36 to 40 mm.

Occupying reedbeds, marshes and fenland.

The adults fly from May to July, and are attracted to light.

The dull, brownish caterpillars feed nocturnally on the stems of Common Reed (Phragmites australis), hiding internally in the stems during the day.

A rather local species, but with a scattered distribution in parts of England and Wales. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded). Three VC55 records for this species in 2014 were the first in Leicestershire and Rutland for over 100 years.