P. cerussella ([D. & S.]) Res., 1886-1980. Gramineae. Wdspd and loc. c. on dry ground near the
sea. 78 *Fobbing (AT).
Schoenobiinae
Large or medium-sized aquatic moths with larger females than males. Their
forewings are long and narrow, with the apex more pointed in the female than
the male; in ground colour they are ochreous or white. The larvae bore into the
stems of aquatic plants or feed within spun leaves, sometimes below the surface
of the water. Some of them construct 'rafts' out of a section of reed on which
they hopefully drift to a second plant when they have finished feeding on the
first one. In Acentropus niveus the female normally has only rudimentary
wings; after pairing on the surface, she remains in the water where she is a good
swimmer. Both sexes, including the scarcer winged females of A. niveus, are
strongly attracted to light, even at a distance from the water. The four British
species are all resident in Essex.
Schoenobius gigantella ([D. & S.]) Res., (1834)4976. Phragmites, Glyceria maxima. F.c,
especially in wet ditches near the coast.
VC 18. 38 *Hackney Marshes, where the first British specimens were taken by Mr Hatchett
(Stephens, 1834: 332); 68 Mucking, 1900-1910 (CRNB); 1969 (Tomlinson, 1970a); 78 Pitsea
(FGW); Thundersley (DGD); 88 Leigh-on-Sea (Vaughan, 1889); Westcliff-on-Sea; 89
Rochford (HCH); 90 Bradwell-on-Sea (AJD). VC 19.11 Colne Point NR (MH).
S. forficella (Thunb.) Res., (1834)-1979. Phragmites, Glyceria maxima. Wdspd but not c
VC 18.48 Wanstead, 1885-1896,1917 (AT); 1979 (CWP); 49 *Epping Forest (Stephens, 1834:
331); Chigwell Row (IS); 58 Rainham (GSR); 68 Bulphan (HCH); Stanford-le-Hope (RT); 78
Thundersley, r. (DGD); 89 Rochford; 99 Creeksea (HCH); 90 Bradwell-on-Sea (AJD). VC 19.
50 Ongar (DCT); 72 Braintree (VCH); 83 Henny (WSG); 02 Colchester (VCH); 11 Colne
Point NR (MH); 23 Parkeston (GFM).
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