figure eight moth
Common Namefigure eight moth
Scientific NameDiphthera festiva
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyDiphtherinae
Wingspan (mm)42.5
Primary Colorsgrey, purple, orange, black, white
HabitatWoodlands, forests, parks, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, Asia, Eastern North America
Host Plantsoak, birch, willow, poplar, hazel, alder
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with white stripes and feed on various deciduous trees before pupating in a cocoon. It typically has two generations per year.
Identification TipsLook for the unique combination of greyish-purple forewings with the prominent black figure-eight mark and the contrasting bright orange hindwings with a black border.
Description
This moth has pale greyish-purple forewings featuring a distinctive black figure-eight mark and a row of smaller dark spots, while its hindwings are bright orange with a broad black marginal band and a white fringe.
