Black Rustic - Aporophyla nigra

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.

Heathland and downland.

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.

Now common in Leicestershire and Rutland, although it was previously classed as L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant)