Noctuidae

73.169 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma has overlapping forms. Check genitalia.

Forewing: 12 to 16mm

Habitats: Most grasslands including calcareous grassland, downland, arable land, verges, woodland clearings, sand-dunes and gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars at the flowers of Common Ragwort, Buddleia and grasses. It also comes to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds inside the stems of Cock's-foot, Tufted Hair-grass, Tall Fescue, Hairy Wood-rush, cereals such as Wheat and other grasses. It changes stems as it grows. It pupates in a cocoon under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on False Oat-grass, Common Couch and Timothy.