Neglected Rustic       Square-spot Rustic
73.356 BF2135  –  Noctuidae –  Noctuinae – Xestia agathina – Heath Rustic – (Duponchel, 1827) Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Noctuidae  >> Noctuinae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A variable species but the main characteristic is a long black wedge shape running through the forewing that contains a rather elongated small pale straw or whitish coloured oval. Also the kidney mark is same colour as oval. Pale shoulder patches and small white vein-streaks into the forewing fringes. A moorland species.
Distribution:  (Last record: 20 September 2024 at Birch Vale )  –  Appears to be still a resident species whose population in Derbyshire is uncertain. An uncommon species that is found across a wide central moorland belt in the north of the county.
Flight Period: August /  September /  –  On the wing August – September Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Simon Roddis / Christian Heintzen  Â© All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 22 July 2025 by WS ***
Wingspan: 28-36mm
Forewing: 14-16mm Food Plant: Heather (Calluna).
Last Recorded Year: September 2024
Last Recorded By – Jane Hewitt
Last Recorded General Area – Birch Vale
IMAGES BELOW:  Darley Dale, Derbyshire – Simon Roddis© / Glossop – Christian Heintzen©

Heath Rustic - Noctuidae - Xestia agathina
Heath Rustic – Darley Dale, Derbyshire – Simon Roddis 
Heath Rustic - Noctuidae - Xestia agathina
Heath Rustic – Darley Dale, Derbyshire – Simon Roddis 
73.356 Heath Rustic 6/9/2024 - Christian Heintzen
73.356 Heath Rustic 6/9/2024 – Christian Heintzen
73.356 Heath Rustic 3/9/2024 - Christian Heintzen
73.356 Heath Rustic 3/9/2024 – Christian Heintzen
Heath Rustic - Noctuidae - Xestia agathina
Heath Rustic - Noctuidae - Xestia agathina
73.356 Heath Rustic 6/9/2024 - Christian Heintzen
73.356 Heath Rustic 3/9/2024 - Christian Heintzen

73.356 Heath Rustic 6/9/2024 - Christian Heintzen Heath Rustic6th September 2024- Christian Heintzen
73.356 Heath Rustic 3/9/2024 - Christian Heintzen Heath Rustic 3rd September 2024 - Christian Heintzen

Distribution Map for Xestia agathina

Found 71 records
    â†ł 2 from After 2025
    â†ł 16 from 2020 - 2024
    â†ł 53 from Before 2020

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

******* Choose ONLY one at a time, of either Monad, Tetrad or Hectad Distribution - each has it's own set of data. Also, the distribution maps cover ALL recorded data. *******

Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.

Land-cover * shows the variety of land-cover within the VC57 area, based on the CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) forty-four thematic classes of land-cover. This will show, to a greater or lesser degree, the number and variety of moths found in different land-cover types. The UK continues to operate within the Copernicus programme, with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) providing Corine Land Cover (CLC) datasets for the UK and its territories.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Xestia agathina

⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.


Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Xestia agathina
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Xestia agathina
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Xestia agathina
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Xestia agathina
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Xestia agathina
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%


CUSUM Analysis: Xestia agathina
About this chart: CUSUM (Cumulative Sum) charts track long-term trends in moth populations [ filtered by 'Adult' and 'Mine' life stages ] by showing whether each year’s counts are above or below the historical average. Even small shifts build up over time, making trends of growth, stability, or decline easier to see. CUSUM highlights trend-consistency — asking: “Across the years, have moth counts mostly stayed above or below average?”
The data sample has 7 gap year/s here (zero records) between 2000 and 2025. The moth may have been present in those gap years, but no data was available. Too many year-gaps may exaggerate or skew the chart.

Counts for the current year (2025) are pro-rated based on data available up to month 7 (July) to provide a full-year equivalent.

ⓘ Purple line rises = years better than average; falls = years worse than average.
Peak (best year) Trough (worst year) Growth periods Decline periods
Population peaked around 2012, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2021, showing a significant decline.

What the Y-axis "Cumulative Deviation" means: Cumulative Deviation shows the running total of how each year’s moth population count differs from the long-term average. i

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Xestia agathina
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xestia agathina
( data includes Adult Stage only )

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2025.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Xestia agathina – 71 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

TaxonSite NameTetradYearDateCountStageSource
Xestia agathinaStoney Clouds, meadowSK43T202523/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaWalton ChesterfieldSK36U202523/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaLongdendale, Wildboar Clough WoodlandSK09U202403/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaLongdendale, Wildboar Clough WoodlandSK09U202403/09/20243adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaGlossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L202406/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBirch ValeSK08I202420/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaGlossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L202429/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBirch ValeSK08I202428/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBelper GardenSK34P202308/09/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaHavercroft RoadSK38L202308/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaHigh Leas Farm, RiberSK35D202326/08/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaGlossop, Black Moor (m altitude)SK09Q202315/08/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaGlossop, Moorfield, Wood's CabinSK09L202325/08/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaGlossop, Upper Bray CloughSK09K202327/08/20233adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaGlossop, The TwitchlingsSK09K202201/09/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaChaddesdenSK33T202106/09/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaThe Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N202006/09/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
Xestia agathinaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202023/08/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A201927/08/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaHavercroft RoadSK38L201927/08/20191Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBirch ValeSK08I201802/09/20181adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBelperSK34U201822/08/20181adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaWelbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T201820/08/20181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaPleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X201821/08/20181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaPleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X201627/08/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaJim Mart Nature ReserveSK36S201506/09/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBirch ValeSK08I201402/08/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Wragg's Quarry)SK26Y201203/09/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Slagmill Plantation)SK36E201203/09/20123Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaWragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y201203/09/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Slagmill Plantation)SK36E201203/09/20123Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201224/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Triangle,Beeley MoorSK26Y201122/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Triangle, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y201122/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaFlash Lane,Beeley MoorSK26X200829/08/20085Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaAlfreton Park, AlfretonSK45C200829/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaAlfreton Park, AlfretonSK45C200829/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaAult Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S200709/09/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaFar Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A200506/09/20052Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaLeash Fen area, Clod Hill Moor, BaslowSK27W200528/08/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z200409/09/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise)SK26Z200409/09/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaThe Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N200322/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaLongshaw Est, Padley GorgeSK28K200322/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaThe Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N200322/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R200001/09/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R200001/09/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBlacka Moor,TotleySK28V199925/08/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R199926/08/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z199426/08/199414Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z199426/08/199414Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Z199426/08/199414Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaLadycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S199408/07/19942Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z199429/07/19943Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z199429/07/19943Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Z199429/07/19943Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaLadycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S199315/09/19931Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S199315/09/19931Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S199315/09/19931Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaParkway, New MillsSK08D199105/09/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z199125/08/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaWoodlands, Combs, Chapel en le FrithSK07P199131/08/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaWoodlands, Combs, Chapel en le FrithSK07P199131/08/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Triangle)SK27Y199001/09/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaDeerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K199001/09/19902Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Triangle)SK27Y199001/09/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaDeerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K199001/09/19902Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Triangle)SK27Y199026/08/19902Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBeeley Moor (Triangle)SK27Y199026/08/19902Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBreadsall Moor, Little EatonSK33U187801/01/18782Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia agathinaBreadsall Moor, Little EatonSK33U187801/01/18782Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Neglected Rustic       Square-spot Rustic

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