Neglected Rustic
Common NameNeglected Rustic
Scientific NameXestia castanea
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, reddish-brown
HabitatHeathland, moorland, open woodlands, and coastal areas
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal
Host PlantsCalluna vulgaris, Erica, Vaccinium
Flight PeriodAugust to October
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe species overwinters as a larva, feeding on various low-growing plants. Pupation occurs in the spring, and adults emerge in late summer.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled brown and grey forewings, often with a reddish tinge, and indistinct but present reniform and orbicular stigmata. The overall cryptic coloration helps it blend seamlessly with its environment.
Description
A medium-sized, robust moth with forewings that are typically mottled shades of brown, grey, and reddish-brown, often with darker markings and a cryptic pattern that blends with dead leaves.
