Limacodidae

53.001 Festoon Apoda limacodes (Hufnagel, 1766)

Notable B S, E, SW

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: M 10 to 12mm, F 11 to 13mm

Habitats: Mature deciduous woodland, mixed woodland, open woodland on heaths and occasionally hedgerows with mature oaks.

Habits: The moth flies around the tops of oaks on sunny days. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the leaves of oaks, Beech and sometimes poplars. The full-fed larva overwinters in a cocoon attached to a leaf which falls into the leaf litter in the autumn.