About Laelia coenosa Hübner, 1805
Laelia coenosa, commonly known as the reed tussock, is a moth species belonging to the family Erebidae. Its scientific name was originally described by Jacob Hübner in 1808, though it is formally referenced as Laelia coenosa Hübner, 1805. This species can be found across North Africa, southern and central Europe, and extends through Russia and eastern Asia as far as Japan. The wingspan of adult moths ranges from 35 to 50 mm. For male individuals, the forewings are whitish ochreous with a brownish tinge that is most prominent toward the costa. A very indistinct dark fuscous discal dot appears on the forewing, along with a posterior series of several fuscous dots positioned between the veins. Male hindwings are whitish, with a brownish tinge toward the apex. Both forewings and hindwings of female individuals are entirely whitish. Mature larvae are blackish with yellowish hairs. They have brownish or blackish hair pencils on the second and twelfth body segments, and yellowish hair tufts on segments five through eight. Larvae feed primarily on Phragmites australis and Phragmites communis, and also feed on species in the genera Festuca, Carex, and Cladium. Depending on the location, adult moths are in flight from July to August.
