Canararctia rufescens (Brulle, 1836)

Host plants:
The larvae are polyphagous. I found caterpillars on Geranium canariense, a Boraginaceae (probably Myosotis) and Tradescantia. In February 2013, I observed several larvae below Agulo (La Gomera) near the coast on Patellifolia patellaris (Chenopodiaceae).

Habitat:
Canararctia rufescens is typical of the laurel forest from 700m above sea level, where the caterpillars were found very numerous in ratherdark understory (La Gomera). At lower altitudes, I observed adults and larvae only occasionally, such as in Valle Gran Rey (male fluttered around a lantern) or near Agulo (larvae on Patellifolia patellaris in only 50m asl).

Life cycle:
Canararctia rufescens should develop according to literature throughout the year without dormancy. I found caterpillars and adults at Christmas 2008. The resulting pupae, however, passed several months of aestivation, so I personally think that the moths fly mainly from October to February and are rarer in summer. But this requires field studies.

Endangerment factors:
Canararctia rufescens is mainly dependent on conservation of the laurel forest and is probably still endangered only weakly in La Gomera, but much stronger in Tenerife (mass tourism, landscape degradation, laurel forests exist only in fragments).

Remarks:
Canararctia rufescens is endemic to La Gomera and Tenerife (Canaries).