Female of December moth

December moth     Paplikedrik       Poecilocampa populi

 

The gusts of autumn gale winds that have arrived do not tempt moths and butterflies especially to appear. We will see how autumn develops during next week?

The December moth is present in all Estonia and is common. The moth is in flight from mid-September to mid-October in broadleaf and mixed forests, scrubs and also gardens.

The December moth is active only at night and flies willingly to artificial light. When it is disturbed in its sleep during the day it lets itself fall to the ground and pretends to be dead keeping unmoving, or jumps around, strangely waving its wings.. Then it stops still and after some time puts the antennae in shelter under the wings. Meaning that it is asleep. It is safest to hide well but the pleasing smell of a female moth hatched nearby is better than any dream.

The caterpillars feed on a variety of different deciduous trees and shrubs and bilberries. The eggs overwinter.

Male December moth

Female December moth