The Chestnut
Common NameThe Chestnut
Scientific NameConistra vaccinii
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)34
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown, grey, yellowish
HabitatWoodlands, hedgerows, gardens, parks
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsoak, sallow, birch, hawthorn, blackthorn
Flight PeriodSeptember to November (overwintering adults), February to April
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesAdults emerge in autumn, overwinter, and re-emerge in early spring to mate. Larvae feed from April to June on various deciduous trees and shrubs, then pupate in the soil.
Identification TipsLook for its variable but often reddish-brown forewings with two prominent, pale-ringed stigmata (orbicular and reniform spots) and a darker basal area. Its unique flight period (autumn and early spring) is a key identifier.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled brown, reddish-brown, or greyish forewings, often featuring a darker basal patch and two distinct, pale-ringed stigmata.
