Black Rustic

Aporophyla nigra

Very common & widespread in British Isles , more commoner in the south, localized in Scotland & coastal in Ireland.

Mainly nocturnal.

Larva yellow green, with three well-marked red dorsal lines and a similar coloured lateral line; spiracles white; or green with the dorsal lines confluent, brown red.

The Larvae feeds on low plants like heather, Dock & various grasses.

Forewing deep black, the outer area beyond outer line often appearing brown; the inner and outer lines and the edges of stigmata deeper black; outer edge of reniform marked with yellowish spots; subterminal line rarely visible; hindwing in male white.

Adults are on wing in September and October and sometimes also in December and January.