18-4-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

 Pachycnemia hippocastanaria, the horse chestnut moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in most of Europe.

Larva

The wingspan is 28–32 mm. Adults are on wing from April to May, and again in a partial second generation in August, usually with fewer and smaller moths.

The larvae feed on common heather (Calluna vulgaris), although both the English and Latin names refer to the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum).

24-3-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

12-1-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

14-3-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

25-2-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

20-2-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

20-2-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

15-2-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

6-2-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

5-2-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

27-1-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

7-10-2021 MONTE CORON, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/483346-Pachycnemia-hippocastanaria

2-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

The Horse Chestnut Moth (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria) is a geometer moth species with a wingspan of 28-32 mm. Despite its scientific and common names, its larvae feed exclusively on heaths like Heather (Calluna) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica).

Key Biological and Habitat Facts:

Distribution: Found throughout Europe, it is classified as "Least Concern" but is considered "Nationally Scarce" in certain areas like Britain.

Habitat: Typically thrives in sandy areas, heathlands, moorlands, and pine forests.

Flight Period: Bivoltine, flying in two broods: a primary flight in April and May, and a partial, smaller second brood in August.

Life Cycle: The larvae consume leaves from the Ericaceae family and the species over-winters in the pupal stage.

Identification:The moth is distinct but can easily be mistaken for a micro-moth due to its size and resting posture, though it is technically a macro-moth.The name remains a mystery as the adult moths have absolutely no documented association with Horse Chestnut trees.

2-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

The Horse Chestnut Moth (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria) is a geometer moth species with a wingspan of 28-32 mm. Despite its scientific and common names, its larvae feed exclusively on heaths like Heather (Calluna) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica).

Key Biological and Habitat Facts:

Distribution: Found throughout Europe, it is classified as "Least Concern" but is considered "Nationally Scarce" in certain areas like Britain.

Habitat: Typically thrives in sandy areas, heathlands, moorlands, and pine forests.

Flight Period: Bivoltine, flying in two broods: a primary flight in April and May, and a partial, smaller second brood in August.

Life Cycle: The larvae consume leaves from the Ericaceae family and the species over-winters in the pupal stage.

Identification:The moth is distinct but can easily be mistaken for a micro-moth due to its size and resting posture, though it is technically a macro-moth.The name remains a mystery as the adult moths have absolutely no documented association with Horse Chestnut trees.

20-9-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Horse Chestnut Moth) is a small geometrid moth with a 28–32 mm wingspan, appearing in grey, brown, and red tones. Native to European heathlands, it has two broods (April-May, August) and feeds on Heather (Calluna vulgaris), not Horse Chestnut trees. It is distinct from the invasive Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella). 

Key Facts about Pachycnemia hippocastanaria

Appearance: A relatively small, slender-bodied moth with a wingspan of 28–32 mm. The forewings are typically a mixture of grey, brown, and reddish tones with darker markings.

Habitat: Primarily found in warm, dry, open habitats such as heathlands.

Distribution: A southern species in Britain, restricted to heathlands in the southernmost counties. It is also found in various parts of Europe.

Life Cycle: It is double-brooded, with adults appearing in April and May, and a second, sometimes smaller brood appearing in August.

Larval Foodplant: Contrary to its name, the larvae feed on heathland plants, specifically Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix).

Behaviour: Both males and females are attracted to light. 

26-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Horse Chestnut Moth) is a small geometrid moth with a 28–32 mm wingspan, appearing in grey, brown, and red tones. Native to European heathlands, it has two broods (April-May, August) and feeds on Heather (Calluna vulgaris), not Horse Chestnut trees. It is distinct from the invasive Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella). 

Key Facts about Pachycnemia hippocastanaria

Appearance: A relatively small, slender-bodied moth with a wingspan of 28–32 mm. The forewings are typically a mixture of grey, brown, and reddish tones with darker markings.

Habitat: Primarily found in warm, dry, open habitats such as heathlands.

Distribution: A southern species in Britain, restricted to heathlands in the southernmost counties. It is also found in various parts of Europe.

Life Cycle: It is double-brooded, with adults appearing in April and May, and a second, sometimes smaller brood appearing in August.

Larval Foodplant: Contrary to its name, the larvae feed on heathland plants, specifically Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix).

Behaviour: Both males and females are attracted to light. 

20-4-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Horse Chestnut Moth) is a small geometrid moth with a 28–32 mm wingspan, appearing in grey, brown, and red tones. Native to European heathlands, it has two broods (April-May, August) and feeds on Heather (Calluna vulgaris), not Horse Chestnut trees. It is distinct from the invasive Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella). 

Key Facts about Pachycnemia hippocastanaria

Appearance: A relatively small, slender-bodied moth with a wingspan of 28–32 mm. The forewings are typically a mixture of grey, brown, and reddish tones with darker markings.

Habitat: Primarily found in warm, dry, open habitats such as heathlands.

Distribution: A southern species in Britain, restricted to heathlands in the southernmost counties. It is also found in various parts of Europe.

Life Cycle: It is double-brooded, with adults appearing in April and May, and a second, sometimes smaller brood appearing in August.

Larval Foodplant: Contrary to its name, the larvae feed on heathland plants, specifically Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix).

Behaviour: Both males and females are attracted to light. 

14-11-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HORSE CHESTNUT MOTH (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)

Pachycnemia hippocastanaria, the horse chestnut moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in most of Europe.

The wingspan is 28–32 mm. Adults are on wing from April to May, and again in a partial second generation in August, usually with fewer and smaller moths.

A distinctly southern species in Britain, occurring only on the heaths of the southernmost counties, although in places can be fairly common.

The moths fly in April and May, with a second brood in August, usually with fewer and smaller moths, although in some parts of the country, the autumn brood now appears to produce more records.

Both the English and Latin names refer to the horse chestnut, but the origins of these are unknown, as the larval foodplant is heather (Calluna).