Noctuidae : Acronictinae
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Photo © Antony Wren,  Carlton Marshes, Suffolk

Immature stages

Similar Suffolk Species
Striped Wainscot
Mythimna pudorina
Large Wainscot
Rhizedra lutosa
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Reed Dagger
Simyra albovenosa

(Goeze, 1781) 2290 / 73.035

Morley's Final Catalogue: This marsh insect still continues both local and very rare, though of broader range than was known in 1890, when only Captain Chawner had taken the imagines at Lowestoft, where as well as Fritton Mr. W. C. Boyd of Cheshunt had discovered the yellowish pubescent larvae that feed openly on reeds. Later a few moths were captured at Needham by Lingwood (EMM. 1904, p.80); Mr. E. J. G. Sparke obtained pupae in reeds at Tuddenham Fen (Norgate); and so recently as 1934 larvae were found at Brandon (Trans. ii, 292).

Recent Suffolk Status: Local, mainly along the coast with a few locations in the Brecks and the Waveney valley. Much more commonly recorded as an adult at light traps in modern times.

Life history: Double-brooded. The colourful larvae have been found feeding openly on reeds by day and night in the county.

Identification: Similar to some of the larger wainscot species but Reed dagger has a pure white hindwing.

Habitat: Reedbeds, fens, river valleys.

Recorded in 30 (52%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1934.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

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Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
27/09/2024+26TL68 - Sedge Fen
13/08/20241525TM49 - Somerleyton/Beccles
13/08/2024225TM45 - Aldeburgh/Orford
05/08/2024125TM45 - Aldeburgh/Orford
05/08/2024125TM59 - Lowestoft
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Reed Dagger
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2024
   
Click Map for Details

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 16-20mm.
Flight: Two generations May-July. Aug-Sept.
Foodplant:   Common Reed
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Nationally Scarce
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2024. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024
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