Rosy Rustic
Common NameRosy Rustic
Scientific NameHydraecia micacea
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)34
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown
HabitatWetlands, damp meadows, gardens, agricultural fields, riverbanks
Geographic RangePalearctic region (Europe, Asia) and introduced to North America
Host Plantspotato, corn, hops, dock, plantain, various grasses
Flight PeriodJuly to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are stem borers, feeding inside the stems and roots of various herbaceous plants before pupating underground. Adults emerge in late summer and autumn.
Identification TipsKey features include the rosy-brown ground color, the distinct reniform and orbicular stigmata, and the wavy subterminal line on the forewings. It is often found in damp or cultivated areas.
Description
A medium-sized moth with reddish-brown to rosy-brown forewings, characterized by prominent kidney-shaped and circular stigmata and wavy transverse lines, giving it a mottled appearance.
