The Chestnut
Conistra vaccinii
This record describes Conistra vaccinii (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-36 mm. There are a number of variations, but all show a distinctive rounded wing shape. Broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens. Occurs in the winter, with moths appearing any time from September to May, especially in mild conditions and can be found visiting Willow in early spring. The larvae feed on the foliage of a range of trees, including Birch and Oak. Widespread in Britain and one of our commoner species nationally. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Conistra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Occurs in the winter, with moths appearing any time from September to May, especially in mild conditions and can be found visiting Willow in early spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the foliage of a range of trees, including Birch and Oak.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in Britain and one of our commoner species nationally. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Conistra vaccinii. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of The Chestnut (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Chestnut
What is The Chestnut?
The Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Chestnut found?
Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens.
When is The Chestnut active?
The Chestnut: seasonal activity - Occurs in the winter, with moths appearing any time from September to May, especially in mild conditions and can be found visiting Willow in early spring..
What is the life cycle of a The Chestnut?
The larvae feed on the foliage of a range of trees, including Birch and Oak.