What I need is a Field Guide to the worn macro-moths! Trying to fill in the gaps in this specimen, which can best be described as “experienced”, I came up with lunar underwing, which is still not on our garden list. But Martin reckoned those, no matter how worn, show cross stripes.
This doesn’t so he suggested – more interestingly – Heath Rustic, which belongs on heather moors, not in gardens. However there are some of those upwind of us in Abergavenny, so there’s a plausible way it might have reached us. And the field guide to fresh macro-moths notes that it shares habitat with True Lovers Knot, which we have had previously.
We released it close to our heather plants, so hope those weren’t too much of a disappointment.
I think Martin is right - the characteristic black and pale markings near the leading edge of the wing of Heath Rustic are visible (with a little squinting) on your moth. I have recorded Heath Rustic a couple of times at Dingestow, which is further from mountains than Abergavenny is, but it isn't as regular a wanderer as True Lover's Knot or Narrow-winged Pug.
ReplyDeleteI'd have called this a Square-spot Rustic!
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