Heath Rustic - Xestia agathina

Description

Wingspan 28 to 36 mm. There are a number of colour forms in different parts of the country, including a blackish form, ab. scopariae in northern England.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Inhabiting heathland and moorland.

When to see it

The flight time of the adults is September, when they can be attracted to light.

Life History

The larval foodplant is heather.

UK Status

Widespread, but not common, in most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
73.356 BF2135

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Heath Rustic
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
4
First record:
21/08/2003 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
10/09/2021 (Leonard, Pete)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records