Text and photos Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis
Figure of eight moth
Figure of eight moth Sinipeaöölane Diloba caeruleocephala
The Figure of eight moth occurs in all Estonia but is not common. The moths can be seen in September and October in broadleaf and mixed forests and home gardens.
The figure of eight moth is active only in darkness. On cool autumn nights the moth must vibrate its wings for several minutes, to warm up the flight muscles before it rises into flight. Moths that have flown to an artificial light to enjoy it can sometimes still be seen in daylight sleeping on house walls.
The caterpillars often live in Rosaceae (rose family) trees and pupate in a dense cocoon. The eggs overwinter on tree trunks or branches.
NB. All the moths introduced in the series have been photographed by Aare just before publication of the introduction.
