Arctia dejeanii (Godart, [1823])

Host plants:
The larvae are polyphagous on Poaceae and herbs. In the Spanish Sierra de Gredos I recorded them on Festuca sp. and Rumex acetosella.

Habitat:
Arctia dejeanii inhabits nutrient-poor meadows and pastures, rocky slopes, also woodland edges, most often in medium-high altitudes between app. 800 and 1800m.

Life cycle:
The larvae hibernate in the penultimate instar. I recorded them in the Spanish Sierra de Gredos in mid-October walking around in bright sunshine. In spring in late March, I recorded mostly mature larvae feeding on Festuca grasses in the sun. The larvae are easily confused with those of Arctia tigrina which is often very common in the same habitat, especially in those with rocks. The individuals which bear remnants or better developed parts of a reddish dorsal line in the breast area, but do not bear any red hair in this dorsal part of the breast, are always A. tigrina. Pupation occurs in the litter, in grass tussocks or moss, sometimes also under stones. The adults are found between late April and early July, according to the site. Oviposition occurs in larger groups mostly on lower sides of leaves etc.

Remarks:
Arctia dejeanii is endemic to mountainous areas in the Iberian Peninsula.