Noctuidae: Xyleninae

2343 (ABH73.169) Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR09789

ID confirmed by dissection, Great Staughton
ID confirmed by dissection, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
ID confirmed by dissection, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths


General Information

This is a very variable species. It is one of three very similar species and is not easily discernible from the Lesser Common Rustic and the Remm's Rustic.

 

Pupates in loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 12-16mm.
Foodplant(s): Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea), Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), Hairy Wood-rush (Luzula pilosa), grasses, cereal crops
Flying: One generation, July-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Fens, grassland, heathland, open woodland, scrub and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 113 (41.9%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2022

Recorded date range (Adult): 22 May to 22 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 11 April to 11 April

Similar Species
Holme Fen
Holme Fen
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Suspected Parastichtis suspecta
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis
East Chevington, Northumberland. Gen. det.
East Chevington, Northumberland. Gen. det.
 Photo © Ian Fisher
Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Crescent Helotropha leucostigma (=Celaena)


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, pink, purple, brown, yellow
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5