73.169 BF2343 – Common Rustic – Noctuidae – Mesapamea secalis
Common Rustic – Noctuidae – Xyleninae – Mesapamea secalis – colour code •
STATUS – A resident that is common and widely distributed in Derbyshire. It is a common moth throughout the county but greatest numbers are found in the southern and eastern lowland areas.
ID POINTERS – It is a very variable species but has two consistent features – Forewing is blunt-tipped and outer edge rounded and not sharply angled – The kidney mark is always obvious and at least partly outlined in white or solid white. The wing colour can vary in tone from black, dark brown, reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, pale brown or pale straw. The forewing fringe is slightly scalloped.
FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing July – September.
IMAGES – Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©