Eye-catching caterpillars – Who are they?

Photo Urmas Tartes
Translation Liis

Caterpillars of buff tip on tree leaf

Buff tip moth      Kuututlane    Phalera bucephala

As imago, or moth, the buff tip is a master of camouflage and in the rest position looks like a broken birch twig. Flying, we could meet them from May until July (see lower photo).

However, the beautiful caterpillars of the buff tip turned up; their youth they spend together in groups, the fully developed caterpillars move around singly.

The caterpillars of the moth that feed on several species can be found wherever there are deciduous trees suitable for food, also on limes and damage them quite substantially.

The pupa winters in forest debris or the upper layer of soil.

Kuututlase valmik, foto Wikimedia