Noctuidae

73.191 Southern Chestnut Agrochola haematidea (Duponchel, 1827)

RDB

Similar species: Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis is larger (15 to 18mm) with a less shiny forewing and a clearly defined oval and kidney mark, both of which are darker than the background colour of the wing.

Forewing: 14 to 15mm

Habitats: Sandy heathland with bushy heaths or Heather.

Habits: The moth flies soon after dusk and flies for less than an hour. It comes to light and sugar.

Foodplant: The larva feeds mainly at night on the flowers and leaves of Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath. The larva constructs a cocoon under the sandy soil where it pupates eight to ten weeks later.