KILDARE WILDLIFE WATCH: Males fly by day, while females fly by night
Nuala Madigan from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre
While taking part in a Sphagnum moss training workshop on Lodge Bog recently, the group came across a small caterpillar which collectively we identified as the caterpillar of the Oak eggar moth.
The Oak eggar moth is a widespread moth that can be found on bogs, heath, grassland and sand dunes. The caterpillars’ foodplant varies from willow to bramble to hazel, which enables this diversity of habitat. On bogs, their preferred choice of food plant is both heather and bilberry. The adult Oak eggar moth can be seen on the wing from May to August. Interestly the males fly during the day while the females are noctural.
The male is smaller and dark brown in colour with a yellowish band across the wings, the females are a paler sandy type of colour.
Both are fluffy in appearance. The males have feathery antennae to help them locate the females which release a pheromone to attract the male.
The females lay their eggs on the foodplant of the caterpillar. After three weeks the caterpillars hatch. The young caterpillars are small with orange shaped diamond pattern on their back between black bands on their body segments.
They are also hairy. The caterpillars will overwinter and by spring they are darker, larger and hairier. The caterpillars continue to feed reaching 8cm in length before they pupate and emerge as the adult in May.
Even though this moth is named after a tree, the Oak, they are not a typical moth of woodlands with its name actually relating to the shape of the cocoon, which is described as looking like an acorn!
This was not the only caterpillar we came across during our visit to the bog. Over the coming weeks many caterpillars will be taking advantage of the mild weather we are experiencing before they begin their winter retreat.
I wonder what wildlife you will encounter in your garden or local community this week?
Don’t forget if you come across a wildlife species that you would like help identifying I would be happy to help, contact me at [email protected].