Common Rustic (Mesapamea secalis, (Linnaeus, 1758))

General Information

This is a very variable species. It is one of three very similar species and is not easily discernible from the Lesser Common Rustic and the Remm's Rustic.

Pupates in loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 12-16mm.
Foodplant(s): Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea), Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), Hairy Wood-rush (Luzula pilosa), grasses, cereal crops
Flying: One generation, July-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status:

Habitat

Fens, grassland, heathland, open woodland, scrub and gardens.

Regional Information

There are no records in the system yet in Bulgaria.

Similar Species

Suspected Parastichtis suspecta

Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis

Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma

Crescent Helotropha leucostigma (=Celaena)

09789 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF2343 (ABH73.169)