Apoda limacodes
adult
caterpillar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Limacodidae
Genus: Apoda
Species:
A. limacodes
Binomial name
Apoda limacodes
(Hufnagel, 1766)[1]

Apoda limacodes, also known as the festoon,[2] is a species of moth of the family Limacodidae.

Distribution

The moth is found in most of Europe.[3] Within Great Britain, the species is scarce.[2]

Description

Adults have a wingspan of 24–28 mm, with male specimens generally slightly smaller and darker than females.[2] It is primarily nocturnal, but it will occasionally fly in the daytime. The moth usually flies between June and July.[1]

Biology

The festoon mainly inhabits thick woodlands. The larvae are known to feed on oak and beech.[1]

Life cycle and behaviour The larva is small and grub-like. After storms, caterpillars are often observed in large numbers between August and October. Cocoons are not attached, but overwinter and pupate in the spring.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wagner, Wolfgang. "European Lepidoptera and their ecology: Apoda limacodes". www.pyrgus.de. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Kimber, Ian. "The Festoon | UKmoths". ukmoths.org.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  3. Karsholt, Ole. "PESI portal - Apoda limacodes (Hufnagel, 1766)". www.eu-nomen.eu. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.