The Lyons Share

Brown Sedge and Dotted Fan-foot

Posted by Graeme Lyons , Thursday, 13 May 2010 18:42

Last year I discovered the fourth known colony in West Sussex of the nationally scarce (Nb) moth, Dotted Fan-foot, (photo attached) in the valley field here at Woods Mill. The moth is known to feed on sedges, which are plentiful at Woods Mill. Lesser Pond Sedge is probably the commonest but the moth has only ever been found in one distinct area, close to several small patches dominated by the uncommon Brown Sedge (photo attached). The caterpillar would be quite small and I would think that it would struggle to tackle the tough leaves of pond sedges. The Brown Sedge is flowering right now at Woods Mill but the moth is not likely to be on the wing until June/July when I am hoping to try and determine if it is dependant on the Brown Sedge at Woods Mill.

Posted in moths, sedges, Woods Mill