Remarkable spring-moths

The March Moth females are wingless. Click to enlarge.

Some moths have developed some extraordinary strategies as a result of the climatic challenges during early spring. Cold weather and absence of food forces the moths to spend their energy resources with concern. To save energy some species (only females) produce only vestigial wings. Instead they allocate these resources to egg production.

During the dark spring evenings females come out from their day-hides in between leaves on the ground or something, and climb the tree-trunks. Then they release feromones to attract the flying males. A lot of males can be attracted to one female.

The "hairy" abdomen is a good identification feature of female March Moths.

This picture show the abdomen of a female March Moth (vintermåler) Alsophila aescularia photographed on the foundation wall of my house in Bergen, western Norway 3 March 2011. In this species the female has no wings at all. This feature, combined with the hairy abdomen, distinguishes it from other flightless females. A stunning looking moth!