73.169 BF2343  -  Noctuidae -  Xyleninae - Mesapamea secalis - Common Rustic Adult Macro:  CAT 4 - Dissection required - Dissection required       PDF Icon - click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Blue -  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>  Noctuidae ID Difficulty:  amber  - care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Lesser Common Rustic
ID pointers: It is a very variable species but has two consistent features – Forewing is blunt-tipped and outer edge rounded and not sharply angled – The kidney mark is always obvious and at least partly outlined in white or solid white. The wing colour can vary in tone from black, dark brown, reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, pale brown or pale straw. The forewing fringe is slightly scalloped.
Distribution:  A resident that is common and widely distributed in Derbyshire. It is a common moth throughout the county but greatest numbers are found in the southern and eastern lowland areas.
Flight Period: July /  August /  September /  -  On the wing July – September. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Photographed: Yes -  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
Wingspan: 27-30mm
Forewing: 12-16mm
Food Plant: Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea).
Recorded dates for Common [Blue codeBlue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©

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