Eastern eggar

Forests and Woodlands

The egg clusters of eastern eggar can usually be found attached to the twigs and branches of host trees. Caterpillars prefer dense foliage for protection and easy access to leaves, their food source. Therefore, searching along hedgerows, forest edges, or within thickets of their preferred plants increases the chances of finding these larvae. Pupae may be hidden in secluded spots, often at ground level in a tough silk cocoon they construct, such as in leaf litter or under logs. To locate them, one must carefully search these areas. Adult eastern eggar are typically found near flowering plants that offer nectar, as they are nocturnal and attracted to light, evenings in open areas with such vegetation might be the best time to observe them.

The best time to find eastern eggar largely depends on their life cycle stage. Eggs are typically laid in the spring, caterpillars can be found from spring through to the end of summer, pupae may be present during late summer and autumn, and adults are usually active at night throughout their flying period, often in late summer or early autumn.

Egg stage: Look for eastern eggar eggs during mild, humid spring weather on the undersides of leaves of host plants. Larva stage: On warm, overcast days, search for eastern eggar larvae on their host plants, where they eat and grow. Pupa stage: Search for eastern eggar pupae on cooler, damp days, often hidden in the litter near the base of host plants. Adult stage: Adults of eastern eggar are most active on warm, dry nights, which is the best time to look for them using light traps or by inspecting flowers they may be feeding on.