Rosy rustic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosy rustic |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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Apameini
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| Genus: |
Hydraecia
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| Species: |
H. micacea
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| Binomial name | |
| Hydraecia micacea (Esper, 1789)
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The rosy rustic (scientific name: Hydraecia micacea) is a type of moth. It belongs to a large family of moths called Noctuoidea.
You can find this moth in many parts of the world. It lives across a huge area called the Palearctic realm. This includes places from Ireland all the way to Siberia in Asia. It also lives in Japan. The rosy rustic moth has also traveled to new places. It was introduced to the eastern USA, Quebec, and Ottawa in Canada.
Contents
What Does the Rosy Rustic Moth Look Like?
The rosy rustic moth has wings that can be different colors. They might be pale grayish-yellow, dark gray, or brownish-gray. Sometimes they have a strong pinkish-red (rufous) color.
The middle part of their front wings is often darker. It can look olive-brown. The outer edges of the wings usually stay lighter. There are also thin brown lines on the wings.
The moth has two large spots on its upper wings. These spots are the same color as the main wing. They have a thin brown outline. The veins on the wings near the edges are often dark.
Size and Wingspan
The rosy rustic moth is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan, which is the distance from one wingtip to the other when the wings are spread out, is about 28 to 45 millimeters (about 1.1 to 1.8 inches).
The length of its front wings is usually between 14 and 21 millimeters (about 0.55 to 0.83 inches). These moths fly in one main group each year. You can usually see them from early July until November.
Life Cycle of the Rosy Rustic Moth
The young form of the moth is called a larva, or caterpillar. The larva of the rosy rustic moth is usually a reddish-pink color. It has a deeper red line down its back.
The sides of the larva are more yellowish. There are small black dots along its sides, above its legs. It also has black spots called tubercles and spiracles. Spiracles are small holes used for breathing.
The plates on its chest and at the end of its body are yellowish. Its head is a shiny reddish-brown color.
What Do the Larvae Eat?
Rosy rustic moth larvae are not picky eaters. They feed on many different types of plants. These plants are usually herbaceous, meaning they have soft stems instead of woody ones. One common plant they eat is the potato.
Images for kids
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Fig. 4 larva after last moult
