Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea

August into October.

Farmland, gardens, urban wasteland, other open habitats.

Rather flattered by its English name, Rosy Rustic is generally some shade of dull reddish brown, though its markings are very constant. It is found everywhere that tall weeds flourish, as its caterpillar bores into their lower stems and roots, occasionally attacking potatoes and other vegetable crops.

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Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria

Late August into October.

Woodland, parkland, carr.

This moth can be distinguished from related species by its bright yellow thoracic fur, contrasting with the duller wings. Like many other autumn species it is camouflaged like turning leaves.

The caterpillar eats the leaves of deciduous trees but the adult does not feed, so is most often seen at light.

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Buff-tip Phalera bucephala

Woodland and scrub.

Caterpillar full-grown in September.

As well as being protected by black and yellow warning colours plus long hairs, Buff-tip caterpillars find safety in numbers. They cluster together between bouts of feeding, especially when undergoing moult, presenting a formidable challenge to any would-be predators. Occasionally they may be found on trees and bushes, especially sallows. Whole bushes are often stripped bare of leaves by the time they reach full growth.

(See July 2009 for a picture of the adult.)

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Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra

Late August into October.

Heaths, moors, other open habitats.

When newly emerged this moth lives up to its name, being one of very few species that is truly black. It can sometimes be found at rest on fenceposts, or at heather blossom and ripe blackberries after dark.

Though the caterpillar feeds on grasses and many low plants, it is almost impossible to rear in captivity, suggesting it has specialised requirements that are as yet unknown.

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Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata

September and October, then again in spring.

Woodland, scrub, moorland.

Like the closely related Red-green Carpet (see September 2008) this apparently delicate moth emerges in autumn then hibernates through the winter to fly again in spring, even into June. Or at least the impregnated females do, since all males die in autumn.

Never a particularly bright shade even when fresh, faded females turn a murky yellowish-green, prompting the specific name that translates as piss-coloured - accurate if impolite.

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