Small Wainscot (Denticucullus pygmina (=Chortodes), (Haworth, 1809))

General Information
This species has a variable ground colour, with specimens ranging from pale buff to deep reddish-brown.

Pupates in a hollow stem or in leaf litter.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes come to light.

Forewing length: 10-14mm.
Foodplant(s): Lesser Pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis), Glaucous Sedge (Carex flacca), grasses
Flying: One generation, August-September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Marsh and wet heathland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 75 (27.8%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 01 July to 30 October

Similar Species

Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula

Mere Wainscot Photedes fluxa (=Chortodes)

Carmarthenshire

Small Rufous Coenobia rufa

2350 (ABH73.144) Small Wainscot Denticucullus pygmina (=Chortodes), (Haworth, 1809)

KR09876