Apamea crenata (Hufnagel, 1766)

Host plants:
The caterpillars feed on grasses such as Molinia and Calamagrostis.

Habitat:
Apamea crenata occurs in a great variety of habitats. It colonizes grass-rich uncut and rather moist to mesophilic places as wet meadows, fens, forest edges or clearcuts.

Life cycle:
The caterpillar overwinters and is also active during winter. I tapped many caterpillars in the Swabian Alb (district of Heidenheim) on clearings from various grasses (Molinia, Calamagrostis, Phalaria) between September and early November. I found fully-grown larvae in spring (April) on the ground in the root collar region of Deschampsia caespitosa.

Endangerment factors:
Apamea crenata is widespread and not in danger.

Remarks:
Apamea crenata is widespread in Europe and Asia to Japan, but more in cool areas. It avoids hot regions or occurs here only in the mountains.