Noctuide : Xyleninae
The Chestnut
CONISTRA (Conistra) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
The Chestnut
CONISTRA (Conistra) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
Description
Wingspan: 28-36mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe
UK Distribution: Well distributed throughout the British Isles-not Scilly Isles
UK Conservation Status -
Habitat: Broadleaved woodland : Hedges : Gardens
Similar Species -
Pupa: Pupates in cocoon underground
Overwinters as: Mature moth
Observations: The ground colour of this moth varies from light orange-brown through to deep chestnut brown which gives the moth its common name.The forewing markings are also variable and can range from clearly marked to almost plain.The cross lines are marked in a lighter colour than the ground colour and the stigmata and orbicular spot are half lightly coloured and half in deep reddish-brown.
The subterminal line is produced from a line of black dots.
The overwintering adult is active during any mild weather before mating when the weather warms in the spring.
The moth is found at the light trap and is also attracted to sugar as well as feeding on flowers.
Worldwide Distribution: Europe
UK Distribution: Well distributed throughout the British Isles-not Scilly Isles
UK Conservation Status -
- Common = >300 10Km Squares
- Least Concern
- Phalaena (Noctua) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
- Noctua veronicae (Hübner,[1813])
- Sweden
Habitat: Broadleaved woodland : Hedges : Gardens
Similar Species -
- Dark Chestnut Conistra ligula (Esper, 1791)
Pupa: Pupates in cocoon underground
Overwinters as: Mature moth
Observations: The ground colour of this moth varies from light orange-brown through to deep chestnut brown which gives the moth its common name.The forewing markings are also variable and can range from clearly marked to almost plain.The cross lines are marked in a lighter colour than the ground colour and the stigmata and orbicular spot are half lightly coloured and half in deep reddish-brown.
The subterminal line is produced from a line of black dots.
The overwintering adult is active during any mild weather before mating when the weather warms in the spring.
The moth is found at the light trap and is also attracted to sugar as well as feeding on flowers.
Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants
The Chestnut larvae are polyphagous,feeding on plant families described below plant photos.
The larvae also feed on the following list of hostplant name :-
Betulaceae
The Chestnut larvae are polyphagous,feeding on plant families described below plant photos.
The larvae also feed on the following list of hostplant name :-
Betulaceae
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.
- Ericaceae - Heather Family
- Vaccinium myrtilus - Bilberry - Blue Whortleberry
- Fagaceae - Oak - Chestnut - Beech Family
- Quercus petraea - Sessile Oak
- Quercus robur - Pedunculate Oak - Common Oak
- Grossulariaceae - Currant Family
- Ribes alpinum - Alpine Currant
- Rosaceae - Rose Family
- Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn
- Malus domestica - Apple
- Malus pumila - Paradise Apple
- Prunus padus - Bird Cherry - Hackberry
- Prunus spinosa - Blackthorn - Sloe
- Rubus idaeus - Raspberry - Framboise
- Sorbus aucuparia - Mountain Ash - Rowan
- Salicaceae - Willow Family
- Salix caprea - Goat Willow
- Salix cinerea - Grey Willow
- Note - Larvae also feed on the following plant families
- Betulaceae - Betula - Birch
- Note - Larvae also feed on the following plant families
Larval Food Plants
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Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Tribe: Subtribe: Genus: Subgenus: Accepted Species Name: Type Species - CONISTRA: Original Species Name: Species Names: Literary Ref: Type Locality: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Noctuoidea Noctuidae Xyleninae Xylenini Xylenina CONISTRA Hübner [1821] Conistra Hübner [1821] Conistra (Conistra) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761) - Noctua veronicae (Hübner,[1813]) - PHALAENA (Noctua) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761) = Noctua polita Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 = Noctua spadicea Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 = Conistra (Conistra) vaccinii - Fauna Suecica (Edn 2 enlarged) : Title Page : p.320 - n.1212 - Sweden |