Ashworth’s rustic  (Xestia ashworthii)

Information authenticated by Roy Leverton with the support of the British Ecological Society:
http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org

• Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal’s metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is ‘diapause’, a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
• Pupa: stage in an insect’s development when huge changes occur, which reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
• Pupation: the process of becoming a pupa, the stage of an insect’s development, when huge changes occur that reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
• Single-brooded: Also known as ‘univoltine’. Insect life cycle that takes 12 months to be complete, and involves a single generation. The egg, larva, pupa or adult over winters as a dormant stage.

1. ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (September, 2009)
   http://www.itis.gov
2. Skinner, B. (1984) Colour identification guide to moths of the British Isles.Penguin Books, Harmondsworth.
3. Carter, D.J. (1986) A field guide to caterpillars of butterflies and moths in Britain and Europe.Collins, London.
4. UK BAP Species Action Plan (October, 2003)
   http://www.ukbap.org.uk
5. Leverton, R. (2004) Pers. comm.