Autumnal moth

Since autumnal moth is a moth, adults may be attracted to light traps or bait made from fermenting fruit or sugary substances, while caterpillars might not respond to traps and would need to be searched for directly in their habitat.

The larvae of autumnal moth are commonly found munching on the leaves of deciduous trees, particularly favoring birch, alder, and willow. To spot the growing larvae, one should examine the foliage of these trees in spring when the leaves are fresh. The adult autumnal moth moths, recognizable by their wing pattern, are typically found in temperate forested regions, often near the same trees their larvae feed on. During autumn, a search for these moths is best done at dusk when they are most active, using a light trap to attract them. The pupal stage is usually hidden away in leaf litter or in the soil under the host trees, so a careful search through this detritus might reveal the pupae.

For adult autumnal moth, the suitable time to locate them would be at night when they are most active and attracted to light sources. For finding eggs, caterpillars, or pupae, daytime searches might be more successful when they are more likely to be found on their host plants.

Mild, warm weather is typically the most suitable condition for finding autumnal moth, as extreme temperatures can inhibit their activity and make them more concealed.