Noctuidae

73.209 Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta (Hübner, [1813])

Local

Similar species: Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta has a buff coloured trailing edge to the forewing with little difference in contrast to the leading edge. The legs are paler on the upper surface than those of Red Sword-grass.

Forewing: 24 to 29mm

Habitats: Damp woodland, moorland, marshes, moorland, boggy heathland and upland grassland.

Habits: The moth comes to sugar and over-ripe blackberries. It nectars at Ivy blossom and in the spring on sallow catkins. It also comes to light.

Foodplant: The polyphagous larva feeds by day and night on docks including Water Dock, Flag Iris, knapweeds, Knotgrass, other herbaceous plants, sedges, heads of Compact Rush and Soft-rush, Bog Myrtle, Heather and the young leaves of many deciduous trees. It pupates in a cocoon under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on restharrow, clovers, larkspurs, bedstraws, thistles, fescues, sweet-grass, Common Reed and occasionally willow.