About moths – The sallow

Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis

Sallow

Sallow     Vaarika-kollaöölane     Cirrhia icteritia

The sallow is present in the whole of Estonia and is common everywhere. The first moths hatch in mid-August and their flight lasts until the beginning of October. Meeting them is a sign to us that autumn is approaching.

The sallow can be a frequent visitor outside the window on dark autumn nights because it likes to fly into artificial light. The sallow flies only at night; while sleeping in daytime it remains unnoticed thanks to its good camouflage colouring.

The small larvae that hatch from the overwintered eggs live at first in willow catkins, then on leaves and herbal plants.