Species Details

ABH: 73.198

BF: 2261

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Xyleninae

Taxon: Conistra erythrocephala

Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Vernacular: Red-headed Chestnut

Account: Rare immigrant from mainland Europe, appearing in southern England, the numbers reported appears to be on the increase in recent years. Fairly frequent on the South Downs in the first half of the 20th Century, during which time possibly established in the area, but nowadays only a rare immigrant Distinguished from slightly smaller Chestnut Conistra vaccinii by the two or three separated dark dots at base of reniform stigmata, which are diagnostic for the species (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on the buds of Oak, Elm and Hornbeam, then later on various herbaceous plants, including Dandelion, Ribwort Plantain and Bedstraw, very limited evidence of breeding in the UK.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 32 — 42 mm

Surrey Flight Period: —

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant:

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Regionally Extinct (RE)

UK BAP:

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 2 — Care needed to identify, an image may be required 🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/conistra-erythrocephala/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 1

Individuals: 0

Earliest Year: 2006

Latest Year: 2006

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