Maps updated: April 2008

Conistra ligula (Esper, 1791)

Description: Wingspan 30-38 mm. Forewings are dark reddish brown with poorly defined stigmata, and paler subterminal line and fascia. Hindwings are dark fuscous

Key Identification Features:

• Dark brown base colour of the forewings
• Pale subterminal fascia
• Dark fuscous hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: Recorded during October in N. Ireland. Skinner gives October and November as the main fight period in Britain.

Status: Not as common as the closely related Chestnut C. vaccinii but this may be exaggerated as this is a late-flying species which may be under recorded.

Ecology: A late autumnal species found mainly in damp woodland and a few fens and bogs. Adults are attracted to light and also to the flowers of Ivy Hedera helix blossom. The larvae feed from April to June on Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, willow Salix spp. and oak Quercus spp. It overwinters as an egg.

World Distribution: Across western Europe from Spain to the central Netherlands.

Caterpillar: