Callopistria juventina (Stoll, 1782)

Host plants:
The larva lives on the leaves of Pteridium aquilinum.

Habitat:
Callopistria juventina settles in stands of Pteridium aquilinum mostly in or near woodlands in not too cold, more atlantic climate as it is found in the Upper Rhine valley or in parts of western and Southern Europe. It is spreading in recent years e.g. in southern Germany due to global warming.

Life cycle:
The moths appear between June and early September with peak in July. In southern Europe they fly partially earlier with possibly a second generation. Oviposition takes place singly on the lower side of the leaves. The caterpillars develop between July and early October in central Europe. They are most often found on the lower side of leaves. They construct a cocoon in the litter where they hibernate and pupate not until spring.

Remarks:
Callopistria juventina is distributed from Morocco across southern and parts of Central Europe and temperate Asia to Japan.