Species Account

Select species and region:

Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Uncommon and thinly distributed or restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 1 See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, Oct-Nov, small numbers to late Mar.

Forewing: 13-15mm.

Foodplant: Blackthorn, Hawthorn, sallows, oaks, docks.

IMPORTANT - Please note that the maps and accounts are provisional, subject to change and further update. The whole dataset still needs to go through the final verification process and it is likely that a very small number of records will not satisfy the present requirements and there are other records that have not been formally submitted. The information is for guidance only.

Record breakdown:

	VC9	VC11	Region
Year first recorded	1935	1983	1935
Year last recorded	2011	2011	2011
Number of records	606	29	1270
Number of individuals	922	57	1958
Unique positions	91	10	202
Unique locations	79	10	178
Adult records	533	29	1124
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 1270 records from 178 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1935.

Photos

Species Account

Similar species: 2258 Chestnut.

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A local species in southern Britain, the polyphagous larva feeding nocturnally on various deciduous trees and shrubs. In Dorset, the moth is at low density across the county with no discernible habitat preferences, although the coastal population tends to be marginally higher than those inland. The records indicate a drop in numbers of more than eighty per cent on average, between the autumn and spring peaks.

The moth is similar to the Chestnut²²⁵⁸. Diagnostics include: a squarer apex containing a more pointed tip, not rounded; frequently a distinct pale broad band along the sub-terminal line; often a ground colour much darker than chestnut; tends not to be seen beyond late March.

See background to species accounts. Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species