Cymbalophora pudica (Esper, 1785)

Host plants:
The larva feeds on grasses (Poaceae).

Habitat:
Cymbalophora pudica inhabits grasslands, scrub, maquis and rocky hillsides in lower and medium altitudes. The moth is widespread for example in Provence, where I found caterpillars in tufts of grass and also feeding early in the morning. During the day, the caterpillars are usually well concealed in the grass tufts.

Life cycle:
Hibernated caterpillars are mostly mature in early or mid-May and construct their cocoons. However, they rest for a long time in the cocoon prior to pupation (persistence of the summer heat), so that the moths fly only from the end of August. This was observed as well in the breeding. In Majorca I observed half-grown caterpillars under rocks of a dry wall that bordered on yet extensive grasslands in late March 2008.

Endangerment factors:
Cymbalophora pudica is not at risk.

Remarks:
Cymbalophora pudica occurs from Northwest Africa across Southern Europe.