Photo © Keith Tailby

Southern Chestnut

Anchoscelis haematidea

Checklist Number
73.191 [B&F: 2264a]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Xyleninae
Genus:Anchoscelis
Species:haematidea
Authority:(Duponchel, 1827)

A vulnerable Red Data Book species, on heathland in parts of Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset. It was first discovered in Britain in West Sussex in 1990. In Hampshire first discovered in the county in 1996 at Linford, it has subsequently been found found to occur widely in the New Forest. While it may have been a new arrival in the country at that time, it may well have been previously overlooked due to its late season and short flight period, which is for only half an hour at dusk. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 32-38 mm. Distinguished from Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis by the very pointed apex and slightly smaller size. Larva feeds on flowers of Bell Heather, over-wintering as an egg.

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)