Chestnut       Dotted Chestnut
73.195 BF2259  –  Noctuidae –  Xyleninae – Conistra ligula – Dark Chestnut – (Esper, 1791) Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Noctuidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: The wing is pointed or slightly hooked at the tip. Ground colour rather shiny, being either a dark chestnut brown; blackish-brown; dark chocolate-brown.
Distribution:  A resident that is widely distributed and fairly common locally in Derbyshire. Found in all areas of the county but less common than the Chestnut. Largest populations are in the southern lowlands. Uncommon in the northern half of the county.
General Comment: None Flight Period: September /  October /  November /  December –  On the wing September – December. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 30-38mm
Forewing: 13-15mm Food Plant: Blackthorn, hawthorn,sallows,oaksdocks and dandelions
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
Selected Images:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©

Dark Chestnut - Noctuidae - Conistra ligula
Dark Chestnut – Conistra ligula
Dark Chestnut - Noctuidae - Conistra ligula
Dark Chestnut – Conistra ligula
Dark Chestnut - Noctuidae - Conistra ligula
Dark Chestnut - Noctuidae - Conistra ligula


Image Gallery

No gallery images found for this moth.


Distribution Map for Conistra ligula

Found 168 records
    ↳ 2 from After 2025
    ↳ 37 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 129 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Conistra ligula

⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.


Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Conistra ligula
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Conistra ligula
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Conistra ligula
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Conistra ligula
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Conistra ligula
AGR: 3.2%   |   Total % Change: 100%


CUSUM Analysis: Conistra ligula
About this chart: CUSUM (Cumulative Sum) charts track long-term trends in moth populations [ filtered by 'Adult' and 'Mine' life stages ] by showing whether each year’s counts are above or below the historical average. Even small shifts build up over time, making trends of growth, stability, or decline easier to see. CUSUM highlights trend-consistency — asking: “Across the years, have moth counts mostly stayed above or below average?”
The data sample has 7 gap year/s here (zero records) between 2000 and 2025. The moth may have been present in those gap years, but no data was available. Too many year-gaps may exaggerate or skew the chart.

Counts for the current year (2025) are pro-rated based on data available up to month 10 (October) to provide a full-year equivalent.

ⓘ Purple line rises = years better than average; falls = years worse than average.
Peak (best year) Trough (worst year) Growth periods Decline periods
Population peaked around 2025, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2021, showing a significant decline.

What the Y-axis "Cumulative Deviation" means: Cumulative Deviation shows the running total of how each year’s moth population count differs from the long-term average. i

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Conistra ligula
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Conistra ligula
( data includes Adult Stage only )

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2025.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Conistra ligula – 168 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Inkersall gardenSK47G11/10/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale DerbyshireSK47L20/03/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z29/12/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A10/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Inkersall gardenSK47G28/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A14/02/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z15/12/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G18/11/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R21/10/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z13/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U09/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y16/02/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y10/02/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F28/01/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G03/01/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G22/12/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F25/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F11/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, The TwitchlingsSK09K08/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Garden, WaltonSK36U29/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ninelands RoadSK28F27/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K16/10/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J06/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ferneydale AvenueSK07Q27/03/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J19/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J18/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Briar Close, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V10/10/20211adultDanes_2019-2021
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J22/12/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J28/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J27/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K25/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J21/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J20/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A08/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X23/10/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J22/10/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K21/10/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F16/03/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F07/03/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X26/10/20191Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X26/10/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Norton LeesSK38L27/02/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X09/12/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hillside, Findern, DerbySK33A23/09/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T07/11/20151Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft AveSK07S31/10/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSESK37J25/10/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V11/10/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V11/10/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Holly St,Stapenhill,Burton on TrentSK22K29/11/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Holly St,Stapenhill,Burton on TrentSK22K29/11/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R19/10/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R19/10/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S18/10/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Duffield Rd, Allestree, DerbySK34K28/12/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Duffield Rd, Allestree, DerbySK34K28/12/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Duffield Rd, Allestree, DerbySK34K28/03/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Duffield Rd, Allestree, DerbySK34K28/03/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R27/02/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R08/01/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S30/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D17/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D17/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X13/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X13/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X12/10/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R29/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R16/01/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V14/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park Estate bottom of Fishermans carparkSK32R08/10/20101adultvc57_irecords_extract
Calke Park,TicknallSK32R08/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D04/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D03/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Littlewood,Barber Booth,EdaleSK18C25/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Dronfield WoodhouseSK37J09/04/20102adultvc57_irecords_extract
Dronfield WoodhouseSK37J08/04/20101adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R17/03/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R10/11/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D21/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D21/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Dronfield WoodhouseSK37J17/10/20091adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V14/11/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,MillthorpeSK37D13/11/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,MillthorpeSK37D12/11/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,MillthorpeSK37D10/11/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,MillthorpeSK37D03/11/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Far Lane, Wilday Green, BarlowSK37H31/10/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Conksbury Bridge, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26C10/10/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bakewell (Shutts Lane)SK26D06/10/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I18/10/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R13/10/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I28/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M25/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lings Close,IlkestonSK44S04/01/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lings Close,IlkestonSK44S04/01/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V22/10/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V22/10/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/11/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R24/09/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M12/10/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M12/10/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q26/10/19921Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lang Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33R17/10/19921Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K20/10/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K20/10/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K25/09/19891Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K25/09/19891Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C10/12/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C10/12/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C12/11/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C12/11/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C29/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C29/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C22/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C22/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K19/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K19/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C15/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C15/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C08/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C08/10/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F20/10/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F20/10/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F19/10/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F19/10/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F05/10/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F05/10/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F21/11/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F21/11/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F28/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F28/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Threepieces, Veron Lane, Kelstedge, AshoverSK36G20/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F16/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F16/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F25/12/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F25/12/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F06/11/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F06/11/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F08/10/19832Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F08/10/19832Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F02/10/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F02/10/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F24/12/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F24/12/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D02/10/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F23/11/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F23/11/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F27/10/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F27/10/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F07/12/19792Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F07/12/19792Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F09/10/19791Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F09/10/19791Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Field Close, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K23/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Field Close, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K21/10/19773Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Field Close, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K19/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F18/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F18/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F16/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F16/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F08/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long EatonSK43F08/10/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Field Close, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K23/01/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D23/10/19751Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D23/10/19751Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R01/11/19671Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R30/09/19651Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R02/09/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Chestnut       Dotted Chestnut

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