Noctuidae

73.102 Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea (Esper, 1785)

Common

Similar species: The male is distinctive and if care is taken the female is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: M 16 to 18mm, F 14 to 16mm

Habitats: Woodland clearings, rides and margins, scrub, moorland, heathland, downland, calcareous grassland and gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers after dark and is attracted to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The polyphagous larva feeds nocturnally near the ground on plantains, docks, groundsel, Bramble, Dandelion, bistorts, vetches and other low growing plants. It hides in the leaf litter during the day. It pupates in a cocoon at the soil surface in leaf litter or under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Marsh Cinquefoil and Marsh Crane's-bill.