Black Rustic
Aporophyla nigra
This record describes Aporophyla nigra (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 40-46 mm. A rather long-winged species, with little variation from the blackish ground colour and whitish stigmata. The males have white hindwings, the females more dusky. The adults fly in September and October. The larvae feed on low plants such as Heather and Dock, as well as various grasses. In Britain the species is common in the south, with a scattered distribution northwards, mainly with a western bias, into Scotland, where it is widely scattered throughout. Mainly coastal in Ireland. 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
- Aporophyla
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Heathland and downland.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in September and October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on low plants such as Heather and Dock, as well as various grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
In Britain the species is common in the south, with a scattered distribution northwards, mainly with a western bias, into Scotland, where it is widely scattered throughout. Mainly coastal in Ireland. 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 Aporophyla nigra. 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 Black Rustic (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Rustic
What is Black Rustic?
Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Black Rustic found?
Habitat: Heathland and downland.
When is Black Rustic active?
Black Rustic: seasonal activity - The adults fly in September and October..
What is the life cycle of a Black Rustic?
The larvae feed on low plants such as Heather and Dock, as well as various grasses.