About Xestia castanea Esper, 1798
Technical description and variation: The wingspan of Xestia castanea is 36–42 mm. Its forewings are pale grey, with a more or less widespread rufous tinge. All lines and stigmata are obscure; the lower lobe of the reniform stigma is dark. The hindwing is fuscous. The anal tufts on the abdomen of the male are reddish.
In the aberration cerasina Frr., red tints dominate to such an extent that the entire forewing becomes dull deep red. In aberration neglecta Hbn., all red colouration is lost and the moth is dull grey; this is the most common form in Britain, where the typical castanea form is rarer, and the cerasina form has not been recorded. The form xanthe Woodf. is described as having a yellow ground colour. Aberration pallida Tutt, found in Scotland, is whitish ochreous, with stigmata outlined in red, and a submarginal line made up of red spots.
