Main: (Noctuidae / Xyleninae)
73.198 [B&F: 2261] Red-headed Chestnut (Conistra erythrocephala) ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

 

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. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight there were two in the Bournemouth district in 1902, after which none were recorded for over 100 years until a flurry of records from 2004 onwards, including three in 2006 and two in 2009. Wingspan 32-42 mm. 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.

Flightime guide
StageJFM AMJ JAS OND
Adult
Larval

Records Received By Year

% of total records
Max records: 3
                           
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Percentage of Total Records

Total records
Max Percentage: 0.0024830531
                           
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Phenology - Adult Records

Max records: 5
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Distribution Map

Historical distribution at tetrad resolution
Click for density map

Detail records

SiteDateQuantityRecorderStage
VC10 Isle of Wight
Bonchurch (SZ57)13/02/2004oneJames HalseyAdult
Cranmore (SZ39)16/11/2004oneIan FletcherAdult
Luccombe (SZ57)28/10/2006oneBernard SkinnerAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)16/11/2011oneJames HalseyAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)19/11/2011twoJames HalseyAdult
Cranmore (SZ39)23/11/2011oneIan FletcherAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)22/12/2018oneJames HalseyAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)27/02/2019oneJames HalseyAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)08/03/2022oneJames HalseyAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)10/03/2022oneIain OutlawAdult
VC11 South Hampshire
Bournemouth (SZ09)1018oneR B RobertsonAdult
Bournemouth (SZ09)1042oneW G HookerAdult
Lymington (SZ39)30/10/2005-Pete DurnellAdult
Great Linford (SU10)17/10/2006oneDiana WesterhoffAdult
Sandy Point (SZ79)28/10/2006oneAndy JohnsonAdult
Hayling Island (SZ79)28/10/2009oneGeorge SpraggsAdult
Sandy Point (SZ79)30/10/2009oneAndy JohnsonAdult
VC12 North Hampshire
Harewood Forest (SU44)17/02/2012oneTim Norriss, Lynn Fomison, Brenda BishopAdult

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