The Chestnut

Conistra vaccinii · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae

Also called: Chestnut

No source yet on danger. We have no source yet on whether it bites, stings or damages anything.

The Chestnut moth has a wingspan of about 28 to 36 mm and its colour and pattern can vary widely, ranging from dove-grey to dark brown with many possible markings. It lives in many habitats across Europe, North Africa and the Palearctic, from open forests and gardens to dry or wet, cool or warm open country. Adults fly from September through May, and the caterpillars feed on a variety of deciduous trees, shrubs and later herbaceous plants.

Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize it

The moth’s pattern and colour are extremely variable, with shades from dove-grey to dark grey-brown and markings that can be light brown, reddish-brown, or black-brown.

Source: Wikipedia

Size

Its wingspan measures between 28 and 36 mm.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it lives

It occurs in many habitats, including open forests, scrubland, downs, gardens, parkland and shrub-rich open country. These habitats may be dry or wet and can be cool or warm.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

The larvae feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs and later also on herbaceous plants.

Source: Wikipedia

Life cycle

Adults are on the wing from September to May, depending on location. Caterpillars are reddish-brown above, greenish below, sometimes with a green tint on the upper side; the back is freckled with pale brown and has faintly paler lines and whitish raised dots.

Source: Wikipedia

When you see it

The moth flies from September through May, varying with locality.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it comes from

The species is found throughout Europe, North Africa and east across the Palearctic to Siberia. Its range stretches from Morocco in the west, through the Mediterranean, Anatolia, Turkestan and into western and central Siberia.

Source: Wikipedia