Smoky Wainscot - Mythimna impura

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Description

Wingspan 31-38 mm. Named after the dusky or smoky suffusion on the hindwing.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Downland, sand dunes and rough grassy areas.

When to see it

It flies from June to August, sometimes later in the south as a partial second brood.

Life History

The larval foodplants are mainly grasses.

UK Status

This is a fairly common species over most of the British Isles. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
73.293 BF2198
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    21 August 2010
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby garden1
    16 July 2005
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby garden1
    15 July 2007
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    21 August 2010
    smoky suffusion on the hindwing

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Smoky Wainscot
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
615
First record:
01/01/1998 (Adrian Russell)
Last record:
15/08/2025 (Wander, Adrian)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Rod Baker
    Wigston Magna
    12 July 2014
  • Rod Baker
    Newton Harcourt
    26 July 2012
  • Rod Baker
    Newton Harcourt
    24 July 2013
  • Pete Leonard
    Harby
    23 July 2012
  • Jonesboy1
    broughton astley
    07 July 2016
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    27 June 2014
  • AJ Cann
    Knighton
    23 July 2018