Autumnal Rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
This record describes Eugnorisma glareosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 32 to 38 mm. An attractive species, typically with a smooth, velvety grey appearance with strong black markings. In the south there are examples with a more buff or pinkish ground colour, and an extreme dark subspecies edda occurs in Shetland. Inhabiting woodland fringes, moorland and sandy or chalky soils. The caterpillars are polyphagous, living on a wide variety of plants and grasses. It is widely distributed, though not always common, throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Eugnorisma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting woodland fringes, moorland and sandy or chalky soils.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in August and September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillars are polyphagous, living on a wide variety of plants and grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is widely distributed, though not always common, throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eugnorisma glareosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Autumnal Rustic (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Autumnal Rustic
What is Autumnal Rustic?
Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Autumnal Rustic found?
Habitat: Inhabiting woodland fringes, moorland and sandy or chalky soils.
When is Autumnal Rustic active?
Autumnal Rustic: seasonal activity - The adults fly in August and September..
What is the life cycle of a Autumnal Rustic?
The caterpillars are polyphagous, living on a wide variety of plants and grasses.