Common Rustic vs Large Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Rustic | Large Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesapamea secalis | Nymphalis polychloros |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 26-34 mm wingspan | 54-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (extinct in Britain) |
Common Rustic
A highly variable common moth that forms a species complex with the Lesser Common Rustic. External appearance is unreliable for identification. Larvae feed inside grass stems.
Did You Know?
So similar to its sibling species that they were not recognized as separate species until 1983.
Large Tortoiseshell
A large orange butterfly with dark spots resembling a scaled-up small tortoiseshell, once widespread in Britain but now effectively extinct there. It hibernates as an adult in tree hollows.
Did You Know?
Its decline in Britain is thought to be linked to Dutch elm disease destroying its primary food plant.