Female of plumed prominent

Plumed prominent    Vahtratutlane        Ptilophora plumigera

Half a century ago the plumed prominent only occurred in West Estonia and even there it was rare. By now they have been encountered almost everywhere where maples grow.

The plumed prominent generally hatches from the pupa after the first night frosts and so its flight period will be in October and even in November depending on the year. On occasional warmer autumn nights they can be seen in groups around artificial lights and the weather now is just like this.

The pattern and colouring of the wings is similar for the male and female but the antennae are very different. Those of the female are threadlike, those of the male very large and comb-shaped. Aided by those he finds the opposite sex very quickly even in chilly nights with temperatures near zero.

The caterpillars live only in maples. Their eggs, laid on the branches, winter.

Male moth