Mythimna pallens, the common wainscot, is a moth of the family Noctuidae distributed throughout the Palearctic realm from Ireland in the west, through Europe (all of Russia) to Central Asia and Amur to the Kuriles in the east.

The common wainscot, as the specific name suggests, is very pale, lacking the darker markings shown by most of its relatives.

See Townsend et al.[3] One or two broods are produced each year with adults on the wing at any time from June to October.

The larva is yellowish or reddish with grey irroration (sprinkling); dorsal line white, with dark edges; spiracles black, lying in a yellowish white lateral stripe, which is edged with blackish.

It feeds on various grasses including Deschampsia, Festuca, Leymus, Lolium and Phalaris.