| Square-spot Rustic (Xestia (Xestia) xanthographa (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)) |
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Scientific name: Xestia (Xestia) xanthographa (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Common name: Square-spot Rustic Other names: Old scientific name: Agrotis xanthographa. French name: Trimaculée Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Noctuidae Subfamily: Noctuinae Wingspan: 32-35 mm. Biotope: Various habitats: Meadows, woodland edges, parks and gardens, even in town. Geographic area: Europe and temperate Asia but missing in the more northern regions, North Africa. Introduced to North America. Flight time: July to October. Number of generations : 1 Caterpillar: Pale brown with three thin light-coloured dorsal lines. The two lateral dorsal lines are bordered by a row of black spots. There are also broad dark bands on the lateral sides. Host plant: Many low growing plants and shrubs. |
The Square-spot Rustic's fore wings show a variable ground colour, greyish brown, pale brown to dark brown, even reddish to very dark reddish. The orbicular and reniform spots are pale yellow and finely outlined with very pale yellow. These spots are an almost square shape. The area between the two spots is slightly darker than the remaining part of the wing. Three thin black lines cross the wings but they are not always very visible. The one on the margin side sometimes appear as a row of dots. The hind wings are whitish to greyish. The Square-spot Rustic over winters as a caterpillar. |
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The orbicular and reniform spots are not perfect square shapes, but they are similar to what I have seen on approved photo galleries. |
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Close-up front view, a comb would be welcome ;-) |
André Bon November 2021