Status and Distribution
Rare, known with regularity from only one site in Kent where it was reported until 1995 and thereafter only once in 2017. There are also single records from Devon (2002), Hampshire (2009) and East Sussex (2019) but it is not known if these relate to wanderers or localised undiscovered colonies.
National Status:
Bradley & Fletcher no:
Provisional Map
Maps updated with all data received by January 2022.
Imago
Set Specimens
Dissection Group
Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs
Persicaria amphibia (amphibious bistort), see plant distribution map.
Small holes in the stem near the leaf nodes with a small build up of frass indicate the presence of a larva (K. Gregersen pers. comm.).
Foodplant Map
Habitat
In England found regularly in a single extensive freshwater reed-bed. The other records are associated with a rough coastal meadow and mixed reed-bed, grassland and close to a large disused clay quarry with pools. In Denmark it is associated with damp meadows.
Finding the Moth
Larva: look for small holes in the stem of the foodplant in September which may indicate the presence of a larva.
Adult: sweeping areas of the foodplant may be worthwhile. It comes readily to light.
Similar Species
Similar to, but larger than, Monochroa suffusella.
Larval Occurrence
Flight Period
Single brooded from mid-June to July.
Earliest: 20th June 1995 (VC15)
Latest: 8th July 1984 (VC15)
There is only very limited date information available.