Apoda limacodes

Apoda limacodes, also known as the festoon,^[2] is a species of moth of the family Limacodidae.

Apoda limacodes
adult
caterpillar
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Limacodidae
Genus:	Apoda
Species:	A. limacodes
Binomial name
Apoda limacodes (Hufnagel, 1766)[1]

Distribution

The moth is found in most of Europe.^[3] Within Great Britain, the species is scarce.^[2]

Description

Adults have a wingspan of 24–28 mm, with male specimens generally slightly smaller and darker than females.^[2] It is primarily nocturnal, but it will occasionally fly in the daytime. The moth usually flies between June and July.^[1]

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  ♂
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  ♂ △

Biology

The festoon mainly inhabits thick woodlands. The larvae are known to feed on oak and beech.^[1]

Life cycle and behaviour The larva is small and grub-like. After storms, caterpillars are often observed in large numbers between August and October. Cocoons are not attached, but overwinter and pupate in the spring.^[1]