BLACK RUSTIC |
APOROPHYLA NIGRA |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan up to 46mm. A deceptively attractive moth which is a long-winged species, with little variation from the blackish-brown ground colour and whitish stigmata. The males have white hindwings, the females are more dusky. BEHAVIOUR: The yellow-green larvae feed on Heather, Dock, Blackthorn, Clovers and various grasses. Caterpillars can be found between October and May, overwintering as small larvae and feeding at night. Pupates underground. HABITAT: Heathland and downland and also roadside verges and other rough, herb-rich grassy places, including gardens. FLIGHT PERIOD: Adults seen from September to October.STATUS: A common enough species in the South with a more scattered and western distribution further north. |