Noctuidae

73.1931 Scarce Chestnut Spudaea ruticilla (Esper, [1791])

Immigrant

Similar species: The moth varies from grey to reddish brown. The more rufous forms could be mistaken for the larger Chestnut Conistra vaccinii (forewing 14 to 15mm).

Forewing: 11.5 to 13mm

Habitats: Warm slopes with scrubby oaks. It is found from north-west Africa north as far as Belgium and southern Europe as far east as Romania.

Habits: The first British record was at Longstones, St Marys, Isles of Scilly on 26th March 2022. It is attracted to light and sugar.

Foodplant: The young larva feeds until June on young flowering oaks, especially Quercus pubescens. It is not known where and for how long the mature larva feeds. When full-fed the larva constructs a soil-covered cocoon under the earth where it pupates.