Noctuidae

73.132 Sandhill Rustic Luperina nickerlii gueneei Doubleday, 1864

RDB NW England, N Wales (photograph above)

Luperina nickerlii knilli Boursin, 1964

Ireland

Luperina nickerlii leechi Goater, 1976

RDB SW England

Luperina nickerlii demuthi Goater & Skinner, 1995

Notable A SE and E England

Similar species: Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea has a larger oval and the kidney mark lacks white markings. The rare immigrant Dumeril's Rustic Luperina dumerilii is on average smaller (11 to 16mm), has a more angular wing with an oblique elongated oval and the outer central cross-line is more oblique toward the trailing edge. To confirm check the genitalia.

Forewing: 15 to 18mm

Habitats: Sand-bars, sandy beaches, sand-dunes, drier parts of salt-marsh and coastal cliffs.

Habits: The male comes to light soon after dark or can be seen in numbers flying low above the sand in the early hours of the morning. The female can be found resting on the foodplant after dark.

Foodplant: The main foodplant is different for each sub-species and population. The larva feed in the roots of Common salt-marsh-grass, Borrer's salt-marsh-grass, Bulbous Meadow-grass, other salt-marsh grasses and Red Fescue. In captivity it will accept Annual Meadow-grass. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon in the sand or in tussocks of the foodplant.