Our insect of the week for March 16, 2026 is Bellura obliqua, the cattail borer moth. [LEPIDOPTERA: Noctuidae] It was described by Francis Walker (an English entomologist) in 1865.

As the common name impllies, this species is found in marshes and along creeks where there are cattails. Caterpillars may also bore into stems of water lilies, pickleweed, and skunk cabbage. Females often deposit egg masses near the tip of yound cattail leaves. Larvae bore directly into the leaf and mine it for a distance of several inches. As the larvae increase in size, they often burrow into the stalk itself. Larvae may form a pupa in a hollowed out chamber and may overwinter in the cattail stalk.

Adults typically fly in May and June in central Illinois and may be attracted to light sources at night.

The specimen shown in the photo was collected and photographed by Frank Hitchell in Peoria County, Illinois.