A good choice of common name for this species, the six-striped rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) does, indeed, have six stripes. Having said that they are more lines than stripes in my opinions! Whatever, stripes or lines, there are six of them.
A nocturnal species rarely seen by day this is widespread and is quite common across southern England. It has no real preference for food plant, although it does like a bit of ragwort pollen, and so it can turn up almost anywhere you look for it between late July and early September.
The larvae are hardy little chaps, overwintering in that stage eating herbaceous plants such as docks and plantains before pupating in the spring.
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