Text and photos Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis
Founced chestnut
Flounced chestnut Puna-sügisöölane Agrochola helvola
The flounced chestnut occurs in the whole of Estonia and is quite common. It flies in mixed forests and parks and also gardens from the end of August to the end of September, enduring even the first night frosts.
The flounced chestnut is active at night and flies to artificial lights but in cold nights its nightly activity is made more difficult. Thus it sometimes has to climb out of its shelter in daytime and supplement its energy store from some food source smelling nearby. Sweet apple sap serves well for this …
The caterpillars mainly feed on willows, when young and small on the catkins. They winter as eggs.