73.097 : 2382 : 9450
Noctuidae : Xyleninae

The Rustic

HOPLODRINA blanda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 31-35mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe : Morocco : N.Iran - S.Urals : SW.Siberia
UK Distribution: Common and widely distributed in England,Wales,Ireland,Isle of Man and the Channel Isles : Scotland-local
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
  • Priority Species 
  • Vulnerable
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Noctua blanda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Type Species - Hoplodrina
  • Phalaena alsines Brahm, 1791
Type Locality -
  • Austria-Vienna region
Flight Period: South-mid May-August with partial second brood extending season through September : Elsewhere-Late June-mid August-single generation
Habitat: Range of lowland habitats : Woodland : Meadows : Gardens
Similar Species:-
  • The Uncertain Hoplodrina octogenaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Larva: Viewed from side-below the spiracles is light brown,above the spiracles is a darker brown lateral band edged on top with a thin light brown lateral line.
Viewed on top-areas between the two light brown thin lateral lines is light brown with a centrally placed thin light brown lateral line.
Pupa: Pupates in a strong cocoon underground
Overwinters as: Larva
Observations: Similarity between this species and its and The Uncertain H.octogenaria has always been confusing but there are several difference which should help.
Rustic is more variable in colour and is usually greyer.
Forewing of this moth is usually pale to dark greyish brown to sooty brown heavily dusted with grey.
Usually fine cross-lines with central band usually feint,with cross-lines beyond middle reduced to series of dots.Hindwing greyish white to grey but browner in The Uncertain.Worn individuals of Rustic usually appear washed out whereas in The Uncertain the cross-lines tend to remain.
When certain individuals show signs of both then genitalia dissection would be the only way of confirming the species.

The moth comes regularly to light,is attracted to sugar and feeds on flowers.
Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website where further information like photos,physical characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
  • Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
Larval Food Plants
Taxonomy
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Type Species - HOPLODRINA:

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Type Locality:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Xyleninae
Caradrinini
HOPLODRINA Boursin 1937
Hoplodrina blanda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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Phalaena alsines Brahm, 1791
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NOCTUA blanda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
= Noctua egens Haworth, 1809
= Noctua redacta Haworth, 1809
= Noctua taraxaci Hübner, [1813]
= Orthosia guttilinea Walker, 1858.
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Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend : Title Page :  p.77 - n 8
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Austria-Vienna region