Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

8 June 2004   12:44AM EST

Limnaecia phragmitella is light yellowish tan in color, with narrow pointed forewings.  On the forewing there are two dark dots, each encircled with white; a brownish streak extends from the inner of these dots to the outer dot and extends somewhat beyond the latter.  A third spot may also be visible, less well defined, near the midpoint of the inner margin. The terminal line may be visible as a row of brownish dashes along the outer margin.  The fringe is yellowish tan.  Overall, this moth has a very sleek, shiny appearance.  Covell (1984) gives a wingspan ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 cm.

According to Covell (1984), the host plant for Limnaecia phragmitella is cattail or bullrush, the larvae feeding on the flowers and developing seeds.

My records to date for Limnaecia phragmitella (each date representing "the night of") are in the table below: