| Square-spot Rustic | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Xestia |
| Species: | X. xanthographa |
| Binomial name | |
| Xestia xanthographa Schiffermüller, 1775 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.
This is a very variable species, the forewings occurring in various shades of grey or brown, with melanic forms common in parts of its range. The best identifying feature is the large, pale, squarish stigma which gives the species its common name. The hindwings are pale to dark grey with a whitish fringe. The wingspan is 30-40 mm. This moth flies at night from July to September [1] and is attracted to light and sugar. It also visits flowers such as heather, marram grass and ragwort.
The larva feeds on a variety of plants such as bedstraw, oak and willow, as well as various grasses. The species overwinters as a larva, remaining active and feeding throughout.