73.233 BF2232

Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra

(Haworth, 1809)

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Wingspan 40-46 mm.

A rather long-winged species, with little variation from the blackish-brown ground colour and whitish stigmata. The males have white hindwings, the females more dusky.

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.

The adults fly in September and October, occupying heathland and downland, and the larvae feed on low plants such as heather (Calluna) and dock (Rumex), as well as various grasses.