Six-striped Rustic
Xestia sexstrigata
This record describes Xestia sexstrigata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 36-38 mm. Characterised by the dark veins, fine, dark cross lines and the pale dark lined oval. Mainly damp woodlands and marshy habitats. The single generation flies in July and August, when the adults are attracted to both sugar and light. The larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants. Fairly commonly distributed over the greater part of the British Isles. 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
- Xestia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mainly damp woodlands and marshy habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The single generation flies in July and August, when the adults are attracted to both sugar and light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly commonly distributed over the greater part of the British Isles. 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 Xestia sexstrigata. 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 Six-striped Rustic (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Six-striped Rustic
What is Six-striped Rustic?
Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Six-striped Rustic found?
Habitat: Mainly damp woodlands and marshy habitats.
When is Six-striped Rustic active?
Six-striped Rustic: seasonal activity - The single generation flies in July and August, when the adults are attracted to both sugar and light..
What is the life cycle of a Six-striped Rustic?
The larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants.