Abraxas grossulariata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
The larva feeds polyphagous on deciduous wood such as Prunus, Ribes, Euonymus and Corylus.

Habitat:
Abraxas grossulariata lives most often in somewhat humid and light forests with rich underwood, e.g. in floodplains. Abraxas grossulariata has become very rare in human settlements (gardens) in the last decades.

Life cycle:
The larva hibernates and can be found fully-grown in May and June, e.g. by tapping or visually search best in the evening. The moth is on the wing between mid-June and early August.

Endangerment: endangered

Endangerment factors:
Light riparian forests with rich underwood and sunny, bushy woodsides have decreased severely due to dense afforestation, interventions in water balance, nitrogen deposition, creation of industry, traffic and settlement infrastructure or deforestation for agriculural purposes. The very rests should be strictly protected and maintained in a suitable condition by adapted management (no dense planting, preserving clearings etc.)

Remarks:
The distribution reaches from Spain to eastern Asia. In Central Europe Abraxas grossulariata has already disappeared from many places.