Hypena obsitalis (Hübner, [1813])

Host plants:
The caterpillars primarily feed on Parietaria species, but also on Urtica (e.g. on Madeira).

Habitat:
Hypena obsitalis colonizes semi-shaded rocks, walls, rubble, human settlement areas and similar locations where Parietaria is growing in chinks. On Madeira, I observed many larvae on semi-shady to shady growing Urtica in herb communities on road side verges.

Life cycle:
The adult seems to hibernate in cooler areas (northern Mediterranean), but is not very cold tolerant. Otherwise, Hypena obsitalis forms a continuous sequence of generations for example on the Canary Islands. In La Gomera (Canary Islands), I met many larvae together with some of Hypena lividalis on rocks, walls and in settlements at Christmas 2009 and 2011.

Remarks:
Hypena obsitalis is found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World (Africa, more southerly parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Atlantic Islands).