Adscita capitalis (Staudinger, 1878)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on Helianthemum (Cistaceae), so in Anatolia, and on Erodium absinthoides (Geraniaceae), so in northern Greece near Kozani. Erodium is probably also the host plant on Samos island (Greece) and in the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

Habitat:
Adscita capitalis inhabits most often very shallow, stony and weakly vegetated, often grazed nutrient-poor grasslands and steppes, often on crests. The host plants grow there on the open soil or rocks. In Europe, Adscita capitalis occurs mostly between 700 and 1500m, in Anatolia up to more than 2500m.

Life cycle:
In Europe, the moths occur early in the season, most often between mid- or late May and late June. Near Kozani, only a few and mostly worn specimens have been observed on 8. June 2024. Two days later, only one worn individual has been recorded, but more than 40 eggs and larvae (L1-L2). Thus the main flight time in this hot year had probably been in the second half of May. The imagines often suck nectar on thyme or rest on blades. The eggs are deposited singly or in small groups mainly on the leaves of the host plant. The young larvae mine in leaves. From the third instar they usually go in estivation to avoid summer heat and drought. Theay feed again in autumn. I found such larvae on 26. October 2024 near Kozani. Already a week later they entered diapause for hibernation. Hihernation occurred in the antepenultimate (one individiual) and in the penultimate instar so that mature larvae can be expected for early to mid-April. Pupation occurs in the soil in a cocoon made of two layers as it is usual for foresters, one earthy outer layer and a white pure-silky inner layer.

Endangerment factors:
Near Kozani, Adscita capitalis is endangered by construction of solar parks and wind turbines and the necessary infrastructure. Also anbandonment, locally also the shift in grazing from sheep and goats to cattle threatens Adscita capitalis.

Remarks:
Adscita capitalis occurs especially in Anatolia (Turkey, western Asia). It is rare and local in Europe where it is found in the Republic of Northern Macedonia, in northern Greece near Kozani and on the Greek island of Samos.

Literature:
Göhl, K., Brüggemeier, F. & Thust, R. (2012): Detection of the forester moth Adscita capitalis (Staudinger, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae, Procridinae) in Greek Macedonia. — Nachrichten des entomologischen Vereins Apollo, Neue Folge 32: 187-188.

Efetov, K. A. & Mollet, B. & Tarmann, G. M. (2010): The biology and early stages of Adscita (Adscita) capitalis (Staudinger, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae, Procridinae). Nachrichten des entomologischen Vereins Apollo, N. F. 31: 119–125.