Giant Peacock Moth / Noćno paunče

Description:

It is the largest European moth, with a wingspan reaching 15–20 cm. The identically marked and colored sexes are similar to Saturnia atlantica but differ in being larger and in having less concave outer margins to the forewings and areas of chocolate-brown on both wings and body. Most adults emerge in the late morning, with females calling that same night, often from the base of trees up which they have climbed. Pairing takes place just before midnight and lasts for about 22 hours. Depending on latitude and altitude, late March to the beginning of June as a single generation; however, odd individuals are sometimes found in late autumn (October). In central Europe, most are on the wing in mid to late May.

Habitat:

The giant peacock moth has a range that includes the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, northern Hungary, central and southern Serbia, Croatia, southern and eastern Bulgaria, southern Greece southern Turkey,western Syria, north Israel, southern Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Macedonia and Italy and extends into Siberia and North Africa. This is a nocturnal species that inhabits open landscapes with scattered trees and shrubs, occurring from sea-level in western Europe to over 2000 m altitude in the Levant and Iran. Parkland, orchards and vineyards with shade-trees are particularly favoured.