Autumnal Rustic

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iAutumnal Rustic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Eugnorisma
Species: E. glareosa
Binomial name
Eugnorisma glareosa
Esper, 1788

The Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was previously placed in the genus Paradiarsia. It is found in northern and western Europe.

The forewings are usually pale grey, distinctively marked with a row of three angular black marks. The ground colour, however, is quite variable with pinkish or reddish forms occurring fairly frequently. In the north of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, an almost black form occurs (some authorities regard this as a subspecies, E. g. edda). The hindwings of the typical forms are white, grey in the darker forms. The wingspan is 32-38 mm. This species flies at night in August and September [1] and is attracted to light and heather flowers.

The larva feeds on a range of plants: It has been recorded on bedstraws, docks, hawkweeds, heather, lettuce, plantains and willows as well as grasses such as Poa. This species overwinters as a very small larva.

  1.   The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
  • Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984