Chestnut moth (Conistra vaccinii)

Chestnut moth (Conistra vaccinii)

The Chestnut is one of our more common species of Noctuid moth that occurs in autumn and winter. The pattern and colouration of this moth is extremely variable, with colours ranging from plain beige-brown to almost black with well defined markings – and anything in between! The wingspan is 28-36mm and the outer edge of the wing tip is distinctly rounded in shape which aids identification. The caterpillar feeds on a wide range of plants including Oak, Hawthorn, and Birch leaves and herbaceous plants such as Dock. Like many moths, the caterpillar is bright green but changes colour to brown in preparation for pupation. This clever strategy helps to camouflage the caterpillar from predators once it drops from the foliage to the soil surface where it pupates.