Text and photos Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis
Pale prominent
Pale prominent Nokktutlane Pterostoma palpinum
Pale prominents occur in all Estonia and they can be seen in forests and coppices but also in gardens and parks. The moths hatch in the second half of May and fly until mid-July.
The pale prominent has its Estonian name, nokktutlane, ”tassel beak”, from its particularly long mouth parts, especially the palps that remind of a beak when extended forwards. The eyes are covered by fur hairs in daytime so that what happens around it will not disturb its sleep. On being disturbed the moth lets go of its branch and falls to the ground, mimicking dead.
The caterpillars live on broadleaf trees, mainly willows and aspens.
