Dotted Chestnut
Conistra rubiginea
This record describes Conistra rubiginea (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
True to its name this moth has numerous dark dots on creamy chestnut wings. Flying in October and November, after which it hibernates and appears again in early spring. The foodplants are not well known in the wild, but it is thought to feed on a number of deciduous trees. A very local species, occurring mainly in the south and south east of England, but occasional scattered occurrences elsewhere. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. The Leicester Forest East record on 21st March 2012 was the first in VC55 for 100 years, but the species is now turning up more often in our area..
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
It inhabits woodland and heathland.
Seasonal Activity
Flying in October and November, after which it hibernates and appears again in early spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The foodplants are not well known in the wild, but it is thought to feed on a number of deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A very local species, occurring mainly in the south and south east of England, but occasional scattered occurrences elsewhere. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Conistra rubiginea. 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 Dotted Chestnut (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dotted Chestnut
What is Dotted Chestnut?
Dotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginea) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Dotted Chestnut found?
Habitat: It inhabits woodland and heathland.
When is Dotted Chestnut active?
Dotted Chestnut: seasonal activity - Flying in October and November, after which it hibernates and appears again in early spring..
What is the life cycle of a Dotted Chestnut?
The foodplants are not well known in the wild, but it is thought to feed on a number of deciduous trees.