Eilema lurideola (Zinchen, 1817)

Host plants:
The larva feeds on mosses, lichens, dead plants, flowers and algae. In the west Austrian Montafon I observed mature caterpillars eating in air-humid weather at flowers of Anthyllis vulneraria during the day at 1800 meters above sea level.

Habitat:
Eilema lurideola is typical of forest edges, swamps, light forests, mountain forests and bushy, stony or rocky grasslands, as long as they are not too xerothermic.

Life cycle:
The wintered caterpillar is found from March to May. Observations of young caterpillars in the autumn can be reported regularly, too. The moths fly in June/July, some still in August.

Endangerment factors:
Eilema lurideola is not endangered.

Remarks:
Eilema lurideola is widespread in Europe except for the northern- and southernmost regions. It occurs also in the temperate zone of Asia.