Photo © Mike Wall

Dark Chestnut

Conistra ligula

Checklist Number
73.195 [B&F: 2259]

Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Xyleninae
Genus:Conistra
Species:ligula
Authority:(Esper, 1791)

Common in woodland, farmland and gardens throughout England and southern Scotland. Widespread but rather uncommon in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 31-35 mm. Distinguished from the more numerous Chestnut C. vaccinii by the shape of the termen and angle subtended by the apex, but care needs to be taken with worn individuals after they have hibernated. Larva feeds on various deciduous trees and shrubs, such as Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Sessile and Pedunculate Oak, and Sallow, and when nearly fully grown on various herbaceous plants, such as Dandelion and Dock.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)