Noctuidae : Noctuinae
  Prev | Next  
Photo © Neil Sherman,  Purdis Farm, Ipswich. September 2022

Immature stages

Similar Suffolk Species
White-line Dart
Euxoa tritici
True Lover's Knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Upload a Photo
 
Heath Rustic
Xestia agathina

(Duponchel, 1827) 2135 / 73.356

Morley's Final Catalogue: Frequently discovered on heaths, by day at the roots of heather and at dusk flying over it: habitually feigns death in daylight. Foxhall heath and in 1923 at Aldringham (Mly), Waldringfield heath (Wlr), three at Stowmarket (B); Covehithe (Gd), common round Blythburgh (Btn), Lowestoft (L). In the Breck at Brandon (Wrn) and Tuddenham (Wrt).

Recent Suffolk Status: Very local. Regularly recorded from heathland sites in the Sandlings and Breck in small numbers. Occasionally wanders far from its known habitat in warm autumns.

Life history: Single-brooded. Larvae have been swept from heather in the spring.

Identification: True Lover's knot lacks the pale streak along the costa. White-line dart is similar, but has more feathered antennae in the male and the oval mark doesn't contrast as much with the black streak mark.

Habitat: Heathland.

Recorded in 20 (34%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1923.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

< Neglected Rustic | Square-spot Rustic >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
01/09/2024125TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
16/09/2023725TM45 - Aldeburgh/Orford
16/09/2023225TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
09/09/2023126TL77 - Mildenhall
24/08/2023225TM46 - Minsmere/Leiston
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Heath Rustic
We need your records!
Do you have records of Heath Rustic?
Put your own dot on the map!

Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2024
   
Click Map for Details

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 14-16mm.
Flight: One generation Aug-Sept.
Foodplant:   Heather
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
BAP Status: Declining (Research only)
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2024. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024
This site requires necessary cookies to function correctly. We'd also like to set Google analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept all cookies. Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this will affect how the website functions. Cookies Policy