Status
Local and scarce species in Britain.
Fens, marshes, reedswamps and reedbeds.
Occurs exclusively in the Norfolk Broads.
The larvae feed within the stems of Common Reed, over-wintering twice.
Barrett [VCH 1901] The Reed Moth
Macrogaster arundinis, Hb.
"Another species of interest is Macrogaster arundinis which, conversely, used to be found only in the Cambridge fens, and which I tried to introduce, in the egg, into Norfolk about the year 1868. The capture of two males in the same spot ten years later seemed to indicate success, but no more have been found there ; yet within the last ten years specimens have been secured in other fens at more than ten miles distance, giving colour to the belief that it may after all be one of the ancient inhabitants of the county, hitherto overlooked.
Two specimens were taken at Ranworth Fen in June, 1878, by Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher; three near Horsey in August, 1898, by Mr. Percy C. Reid, and one this year [1901?] near Hickling, by Dr. F. D. Wheeler."Recorded in 11 (15%) of 74 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1874.
Last Recorded in 2023. |