73.209 Xylena (Lithomoia) vetusta (Red Sword-grass)
fw: 24-29mm; Sep-May; various woody and herbaceous plants; local resident in moorland, upland pasture, boggy heath and damp wood in Scotland, N.England, Wales, rare resident in S.England, occasional migrant
Xylena vetusta (Red Sword-grass) §3
ID: Both X.vetusta and X.exsoleta (Sword-grass) rest with the forewings wrapped tightly around the body to resemble a twig. X.vetusta shows a contrast between the costal half of the forewing, which is straw-coloured with an orange-red tint, and the dorsal half which is dark brown; hindtarsus and hindtibia dark red-brown. X.exsoleta has a grey or straw-coloured forewing which shows little contrast between the costal and dorsal halves and lacks any reddish tint; hindtarsus and hindtibia straw-coloured.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia
§1 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 21/10/2010; fw 28.0mm; potted on ivy
§2 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 21/10/2010; male; fw 26.8mm; potted on ivy
§3 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 22/10/2010; potted on ivy
§4 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 27/10/2010; female; potted on ivy
§5 Inveruglas, Argyll; 23/04/2016; male; fw 25.8mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 21/10/2010; male; fw 26.8mm; potted on ivy
§3 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 22/10/2010; potted on ivy
§4 St Agnes, Isles of Scilly; 27/10/2010; female; potted on ivy
§5 Inveruglas, Argyll; 23/04/2016; male; fw 25.8mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 05/06/2016 (§1-4) | §5 added 26/06/2017