Moth for ID

[Cheryl]

Could someone tell me what this moth is?

[Jason Green]

Hi Cheryl

Is it a pale/worn Doth Moth Melanchra persicariae?

[naturegirl]

Sorry Jason, I think it is a Common or Scarce rustic!

Naturegirl

[djackso]

I agree it may be a Rustic. Common, square-spot etc. Not sure.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Common/Lesser Common Rustic

Cheers,

Adam

[maggot at toad hall]

I agree with Adam,it is either:
Common Rustic (Mesapamea secalis) larger form with wing span 31 - 36mm
Lesser Common Rustic (Mesapamea didyma) smaller form with wing span 28 - 32mm.

Note: the wingspan does overlap for both, so unless at the lower end or higher end of measurement, you cannot really confirm unless identified by genitalia.
The UK Moth site:- say that the very dark forms with almost white stigmata, which seems reasonable judging by the image colouration, is more likely to be the M.didyma.

[naturegirl]

Well, my mate Bernard Skinner of 'Moths of the British Isles' says that "Common rustic has the reniform stigma just plain" and that the "Lesser common rustic has the 2 little dots either side of the reniform stigma".

I aint gonna argue with him as he is considered to be the 'Expert'!!!!!

Naturegirl

[John]

This is one of those species that always get reported as an agg as there are confusion species that can't be split visually, only by genitalia inspection.

This moth would be reported as a Common Rustic agg.

John

[naturegirl]

I agree with John (and Bernard!) on this!!

Naturegirl

[Cheryl]

Thanks all