Noctuidae

73.341 Northern Rustic Standfussiana lucernea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Local

Similar species: Brindled Ochre Dasypolia templi is superficially similar, but does not have a silky forewing and has more obvious oval and kidney marks. The hindwing is yellowish suffused with grey with a yellow-brown fringe rather than dark grey with a white fringe. The male has broadly feathered antennae.

Forewing: 17 to 21mm

Habitats: Coastal cliffs, quarries, mountain scree and steep rocky slopes.

Habits: The moth flies swiftly in the late afternoon on hot sunny days. It nectars at Wood Sage, Red Valerian, ragworts, Sea Rocket and other flowers. It is attracted to sugar and comes to light.

Foodplant: The polyphagous larva feeds nocturnally on Biting Stonecrop, saxifrages, Harebell, Sheep's-fescue and other grasses and herbaceous plants. In captivity it accepts Dandelion. It pupates under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Primrose, chickweeds, mouse-ears, bellflowers, stitchworts and sandworts.