Ashworth's Rustic
Common NameAshworth's Rustic
Scientific NameXestia ashworthii
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorswhite, grey, black
HabitatMoorland, heathland, rocky hillsides
Geographic RangeWestern Europe (Great Britain, Ireland)
Host Plantsheather, bilberry, crowberry
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on moorland plants, overwinter as larvae, and pupate in the spring. It is univoltine, having one generation per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its pale ground colour and strong, contrasting dark markings, particularly the wavy cross-lines and the prominent dark reniform stigma on the forewings.
Description
A medium-sized moth with pale greyish-white forewings mottled with darker grey and black markings, including distinct wavy cross-lines and a dark reniform stigma.
