Lesser Common Rustic - Mesapamea didyma
Wingspan 22 to 30 mm. Almost identical in appearance to Common Rustic, the two species (and M. remmi, Remm's Rustic) can only be reliably separated by examination of the genitalia.
Various habitats.
The adults fly in a single generation in July and August.
The larvae feed on various grasses, including Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata).
The species has been found to be fairly common and widespread throughout much of the British Isles, although information about its true distribution is still developing. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant). It is possibly more common than it appears in our area as it may go unrecorded due to the difficulties of identification.
Graham Calow
Sapcote garden1
15 July 2012
male - confirmed by gen det
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Species profile
- Common names
- Lesser Common Rustic
- Species group:
- Moths
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Noctuidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 20
- First record:
- 01/01/1998 (Adrian Russell)
- Last record:
- 03/07/2023 (Poole, Adam)
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% of records within its species group
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