Noctuidae : Xyleninae
Beaded Chestnut
AGROCHOLA (Agrochola) lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller],1775)
Beaded Chestnut
AGROCHOLA (Agrochola) lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller],1775)
Life Cycle Guide
Description
Wingspan: 32-42mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe (not Norway,Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania) : North Africa
UK Distribution: England,Wales to Northumberland - well distributed : mainland Scotland - very rare : Isle of Man - local : Ireland - well distributed : Channel Isles - widespread and frequent
UK Conservation Status -
Habitat: Broadleaved Woodland : Heathland : Scrub : Gardens : Hedgerows
Similar Species -
Overwinters as: Ovum
Observations: This moth has declined rapidly over the past 35 years and is subject to wild fluctuations in numbers,year on year. As such it is a species of conservation concern under the UK biodiversity plan as shown above under "UK Conservation Status".
Although this moth is variable it is not difficult to recognise with its narrow,pointed forewing with a narrow reniform stigmata and an elongated,narrow orbicular spot which is angled at approximately 45º.
The ground colour is usually chestnut brown,reddish brown,brownish white or greyish yellow with a black or dark brown diagonal dash adjacent to the wing apex and often a series of dark costal spots.
Markings tend to vary from feint to strong cross lines and bands and fine pale venation.
The moth can be attracted by light or sugar and is found imbibing on Ivy Flowers or over-ripe berries.
Worldwide Distribution: Europe (not Norway,Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania) : North Africa
UK Distribution: England,Wales to Northumberland - well distributed : mainland Scotland - very rare : Isle of Man - local : Ireland - well distributed : Channel Isles - widespread and frequent
UK Conservation Status -
- Common = >300 10Km Squares
- NERC S.41 : 2008 (England) & NERC S.42 : 2009 (Wales) - Species "of principle importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity
- Northern Ireland - Priority Species : 2010
- BAP : 2007 - Priority Species
- Least Concern
- Phalaena (Noctua) lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller],1775)
- Noctua pistacina ([Denis & Schiffermüller,]1775)
- Austria - near Vienna
Habitat: Broadleaved Woodland : Heathland : Scrub : Gardens : Hedgerows
Similar Species -
- Brown-spot Pinion - Agrochola litura (Linnaeus, 1761)
Overwinters as: Ovum
Observations: This moth has declined rapidly over the past 35 years and is subject to wild fluctuations in numbers,year on year. As such it is a species of conservation concern under the UK biodiversity plan as shown above under "UK Conservation Status".
Although this moth is variable it is not difficult to recognise with its narrow,pointed forewing with a narrow reniform stigmata and an elongated,narrow orbicular spot which is angled at approximately 45º.
The ground colour is usually chestnut brown,reddish brown,brownish white or greyish yellow with a black or dark brown diagonal dash adjacent to the wing apex and often a series of dark costal spots.
Markings tend to vary from feint to strong cross lines and bands and fine pale venation.
The moth can be attracted by light or sugar and is found imbibing on Ivy Flowers or over-ripe berries.
Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Larva also feed on various grasses,docks and buttercups
Larva also feed on various grasses,docks and buttercups
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website
where further information like photos,physical
characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal
uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
- Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
- Asteraceae - Compositae - Aster-Daisy - Sunflower Family
- Taraxacum officinale - Common Dandelion
- Campanulaceae - Bellflower Family
- Campanula trachelium - Nettle-leaved Bellflower
- Caryophyllaceae - Pink and Carnation Family
- Dianthus caryophyllus - Carnation
- Stellaria media - Chickweed
- Rosaceae - The Rose Family
- Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn
- Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family
- Verbascum phlomoides - Wooly Mullein
Larval Food Plants
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Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Tribe: Genus: Subgenus Accepted Species Name: Type Species - AGROCHOLA: Original Species Name: Species Names: Literary Ref: Type Locality: Subspecies: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Noctuoidea Noctuidae Xyleninae Xylenini AGROCHOLA Hübner,[1821] Agrochola Hübner,[1821] Agrochola (Agrochola) lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller],1775) - Noctua pistacina ([Denis & Schiffermüller,]1775) - PHALAENA (Noctua) lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller,]1775) = Noctua pistacina Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 = Phalaena (Noctua) canaria Esper, 1791 = Phalaena (Noctua) rubetra Esper, 1791 = Phalaena (Noctua) schoenobaena Esper, 1791 = Phalaena (Noctua) serina Esper, 1791 = Phalaena lineola Donovan, 1801 = Noctua ferrea Haworth, 1809 = Noctua sphaerulatina Haworth, 1809 = Noctua venosa Haworth, 1809 = coerulescens Calberla, 1884 = Agrochola haematidea = Agrochola (Agrochola) lychnidis - Ref-Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend : Title Page : p.76 - n.5 - Austria - near Vienna - A.a.l.lychnidis ([Denis & Schiffermüller,]1775) - nominate subspecies A.s.l.aequalis Hacker & Stengel 1996 - N Africa,Cyprus |