.. "For we're all jolly fellows that follow the plough .." (A Slight Return)

Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa L.) .. emerging wings

I admit to being a little confused when I first found this specimen running around on the patio, and initially wondered whether it was the non-flying female of a moth sp.?

However, it soon transpired to be a square-spot rustic that was in the process of pumping it's wings up having recently emerged from it's cocoon. Over the next 2.5hrs - I watched it's progress with fascination - before witnessing it's maiden flight as it disappeared into the night.