Heath Rustic - Noctuidae - Xestia agathina
73.356 BF2135  – Heath Rustic  – Xestia agathina  – (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.
General Comment: None
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  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
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

Selected Images:  Darley Dale, Derbyshire – Simon Roddis© / Glossop – Christian Heintzen©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1990 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.

Distribution Map for Xestia agathina

Found 84 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 27 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 57 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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.

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.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Xestia agathina

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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: 5.6%   |   Total % Change: 290.9%

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

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xestia agathina

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 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Xestia agathina – 84 records available

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

Site Name Tetrad Date Count Stage Recorder Source RecordKey
sheffield SK38M 12/09/2025 1 adult Turner, Jan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45357594
Cromford Moor SK25X 07/09/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45402575
Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland SK09U 02/09/2025 12 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48787588
Glossop, Shittern Clough Woodland SK09M 26/08/2025 1 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48787364
Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's Cabin SK09L 24/08/2025 11 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48746869
Nether North Grain, Snake Road SK19B 24/08/2025 10 adult Neil Sherman vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48244998
Walton Chesterfield SK36U 23/08/2025 1 adult Palethorpe, Amanda vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44754009
Stoney Clouds, meadow SK43T 23/08/2025 1 adult Bryce, Marion vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44732207
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough Fields SK09L 22/08/2025 1 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48744673
Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland SK09U 17/08/2025 2 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48743972
Kinder Scout, Fetaherbed Top (m asl) SK09V 15/08/2025 2 Adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48741403
Birch Vale SK08I 20/09/2024 1 adult Hewitt, Jane vc57_irecords_extract iBRC39759596
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough Fields SK09L 06/09/2024 1 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38678416
Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland SK09U 03/09/2024 2 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38678337
Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland SK09U 03/09/2024 3 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38678360
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough Fields SK09L 29/08/2024 1 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38473484
Birch Vale SK08I 28/08/2024 1 adult Hewitt, Jane vc57_irecords_extract iBRC39759058
Belper Garden SK34P 08/09/2023 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34544600
Havercroft Road SK38L 08/09/2023 1 Adult Tait, Malcolm vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36369257
Glossop, Upper Bray Clough SK09K 27/08/2023 3 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36337533
High Leas Farm, Riber SK35D 26/08/2023 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC33497172
Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's Cabin SK09L 25/08/2023 1 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36337496
Glossop, Black Moor (m altitude) SK09Q 15/08/2023 1 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36337295
Glossop, The Twitchlings SK09K 01/09/2022 2 adult Heintzen, Christian vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36335250
Chaddesden SK33T 06/09/2021 1 Adult valiantlion vc57_irecords_extract iBRC27875300
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, Froggatt SK27N 06/09/2020 1 adult BARNACLE, Mr B.&.Mrs.K. Danes_2019-2021 338
Buxton SK, UK SK07S 23/08/2020 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC22511926
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 28/08/2019 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45761284
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZ SK33A 27/08/2019 1 adult Brian and Jean Hallam vc57_irecords_extract iBRC35161915
Havercroft Road SK38L 27/08/2019 1 Adult Tait, Malcolm vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36367843
Birch Vale SK08I 02/09/2018 1 adult Hewitt, Jane vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40106514
Belper SK34U 22/08/2018 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38610323
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 21/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45740995
Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley SK46X 21/08/2018 1 Adult B.J.N. Hill vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WP4XZ
Welbeck Drive, Wingerworth SK36T 20/08/2018 1 Adult B.J.N. Hill vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WP4XH
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 18/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45741482
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 23/06/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45741405
Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley SK46X 27/08/2016 1 Adult B.J.N. Hill vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPTL2
Jim Mart Nature Reserve SK36S 06/09/2015 1 Adult Mahadevan, Nikki vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34907944
Birch Vale SK08I 02/08/2014 1 adult Hewitt, Jane vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41009769
Beeley Moor (Wragg's Quarry) SK26Y 03/09/2012 4 Adult Roddis, Simon vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJW0R
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley SK26Y 03/09/2012 4 Adult Roddis, Simon vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPC30
Beeley Moor (Slagmill Plantation) SK36E 03/09/2012 3 Adult BUDWORTH, Mr D., CLARKE, Mr D.A., PATRICK, Mr P., vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKG04
Beeley Moor (Slagmill Plantation) SK36E 03/09/2012 3 Adult Dave Budworth;D.A. Clarke;H. Wood;P. Patrick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQHP1
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale SK26R 24/08/2012 1 Adult Roddis, Simon vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OL9P1
Beeley Triangle,Beeley Moor SK26Y 22/08/2011 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJTDO
Beeley Triangle, Beeley Moor, Beeley SK26Y 22/08/2011 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPLXL
Flash Lane,Beeley Moor SK26X 29/08/2008 5 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKLVZ
Alfreton Park, Alfreton SK45C 29/08/2008 1 Adult Dave Budworth;P. Patrick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKLX5
Alfreton Park, Alfreton SK45C 29/08/2008 1 Adult Dave Budworth;P. Patrick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPRO3
Ault Hucknall,Glapwell SK46S 09/09/2007 1 Adult M.E. Bradley vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJZBU
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,Matlock SK36A 06/09/2005 2 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OICP8
Leash Fen area, Clod Hill Moor, Baslow SK27W 28/08/2005 1 Adult Dave Budworth;N.J. Ward vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJAT3
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 09/09/2004 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ84M
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise) SK26Z 09/09/2004 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOXGR
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 22/08/2003 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI4TS
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 22/08/2003 1 Adult B. Barnacle;I.M. Viles;K. Barnacle vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ1MQ
Longshaw Est, Padley Gorge SK28K 22/08/2003 1 Adult H.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterill vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI4UB
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 01/09/2000 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ21E
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 01/09/2000 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ5WC
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 26/08/1999 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ1MG
Blacka Moor,Totley SK28V 25/08/1999 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ1M9
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 26/08/1994 14 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIYKS
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 26/08/1994 14 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIYKT
Beeley Moor (site not precise) SK26Z 26/08/1994 14 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPXDS
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 29/07/1994 3 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIYG2
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 29/07/1994 3 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIYGT
Beeley Moor (site not precise) SK26Z 29/07/1994 3 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPXBY
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 08/07/1994 2 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIY2R
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 15/09/1993 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIXNE
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 15/09/1993 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOWZN
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 15/09/1993 1 Adult Steve Orridge;S.H. Hind vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOWZO
Parkway, New Mills SK08D 05/09/1991 1 Adult J. Potts vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHLDQ
Woodlands, Combs, Chapel en le Frith SK07P 31/08/1991 1 Adult S.G. Price vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIVNF
Woodlands, Combs, Chapel en le Frith SK07P 31/08/1991 1 Adult S.G. Price vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOMS8
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 25/08/1991 1 Adult A. Jenkins vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIVML
Beeley Moor (Triangle) SK27Y 01/09/1990 1 Adult D. Brown vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI0YJ
Beeley Moor (Triangle) SK27Y 01/09/1990 1 Adult D. Brown vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOPSS
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, Chesterfield SK37K 01/09/1990 2 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIUYV
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, Chesterfield SK37K 01/09/1990 2 Adult B. Elliott vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOPSV
Beeley Moor (Triangle) SK27Y 26/08/1990 2 Adult A. Jenkins vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIUYO
Beeley Moor (Triangle) SK27Y 26/08/1990 2 Adult A Jenkins vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ55U
Breadsall Moor, Little Eaton SK33U 01/01/1878 2 Adult [VC57 Recorder] vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001TAGH7
Breadsall Moor, Little Eaton SK33U 01/01/1878 2 Adult W.G. Sheldon vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPQ2D

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