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Noctuide : Xyleninae

The Chestnut

CONISTRA (Conistra) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
Picture
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 28-36mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe
UK Distribution: Well distributed throughout the British Isles-not Scilly Isles
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Phalaena (Noctua) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
Type Species - Conistra
  • Noctua veronicae (Hübner,[1813])
Type Locality -
  • Sweden
Flight Period: South-mid September to early June : Elsewhere-late September to May
Habitat: Broadleaved woodland : Hedges : Gardens
Similar Species -
  • Dark Chestnut Conistra ligula (Esper, 1791)
Larva: The larva is light and dark reddish brown. Viewed from side-The bottom of a dark reddish band edged both sides with cream lateral lines,runs along the spiracles.Below this band the larva is light reddish brown.Viewed on top-there is a cream dorsal line within a band of light reddish brown marked with a series of cream small spots. Larva feeds at night.
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
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.
Larval Food Plants
Taxonomy
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Type Species - CONISTRA:

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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)
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Noctua veronicae (Hübner,[1813])
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PHALAENA (Noctua) vaccinii (Linnaeus, 1761)
= Noctua polita Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
= Noctua spadicea Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
= Conistra (Conistra) vaccinii
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Fauna Suecica (Edn 2 enlarged) : Title Page : p.320 - n.1212
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Sweden