The Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria, also known as the Russian bear moth) overwinters as a densely haired caterpillar. After the small caterpillar hatches from the egg, it eats its fill and hides in the vegetation to survive the cold winter. In the following spring, it continues to feed and finally pupates in the summer. The emerged moths enjoy the warm temperatures and mate, so that the females can lay eggs again.
[Photos and montage: Reto Künzler]
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