Atolmis rubricollis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
In the first place the caterpillars feed on algae of spruce branches (more rarely also deciduous trees), but also on lichens and moss.

Habitat:
Atolmis rubricollis inhabits coniferous forests of all kinds. I observed larvae (beating method) also on deciduous trees that were interspersed with Clematis vitalba at the northern border of the eastern Swabian Alb (Germany).

Life cycle:
The mature caterpillars can be beaten from the lower branches of older spruce trees at often shaded, humid forest roads in the late summer and early fall (August/September) where green algae are grazed. In this way, I found near Memmingen dozens of caterpillars, partly together with Hyloicus pinastri, Dendrolimus pini and Panthea coenobita. The pupa overwinters and moths are found from mid-May to July.

Endangerment factors:
Not endangered.

Remarks:
Atolmis rubricollis is distributed from northern and Central Europe to the Amur region.