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Neglected Rustic
Xestia castanea (Esper, 1798)
Noctuidae: Noctuinae
2132 / 73.355
Photo © Neil Sherman,  Insh Marshes, Scotland. September 2012

Similar Suffolk Species
Dotted Clay
Xestia baja
Square-spot Rustic
Xestia xanthographa
Forewing: 16-18mm.
Flight: Aug - Sept.
Foodplant:   Heathers
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3

Morley's Final Catalogue: Among the rarest of our heath moths, apparently. Confined to the wild tracts (1) to the east of Ipswich, where Tim Last used to take a deep-red form (Harwood) about 1880, including Rushmere Heath on which a single specimen occurred at sugared rags on 24 August 1895 (Mly) and (2) the Breck, where Wheeler of Norwich once found it rarely.

Recent Suffolk Status: Very rare. The last county record was in the Breck in 2004. Extinct in east Suffolk.

Life history: Single-brooded.

Identification: Dotted clay has the obvious black spot in the corner of the forewing. Square-spot rustic is superficially similar but the kidney mark is normally paler than the ground colour and square-shaped. Neglected rustic is larger than Sqare-spot rustic.

Habitat: Heathland.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 4 (7%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1873.
Last Recorded in 2004.

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
27/07/2004+26TL77 - Mildenhall
24/08/1895125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
1880+25TM14 - Ipswich
01/01/1873 to 31/12/1913+26TL78 - Brandon/Lakenheath
Further info: Xestia castanea
 
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