Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
The caterpillars live in grasses (Dactylus, Arrhenaterum, Phleum, etc.).

Habitat:
Mesapamea secalis inhabits grassy habitats of all kinds (pastures, embankments, forest edges, gardens, ruderal terrain) as long as a certain extensivity is given. Even this widespread species is absent from multi-cut manure dandelion meadows!

Life cycle:
The caterpillar overwinters and is mature in late April or in May (approximately 2-3 weeks later than Oligia sp. from the same location). They can be found relatively easy if you search Dactylis-clumps for wilting heart leaves and with weaker stalks/older caterpillars for through bitten stalk bases. The caterpillars then usually rest close to the ground in/on the stalk (if they have not already migrated to another). A similar feeding pattern show larvae of Oligia and Hydraecia micacea.

The moths fly from late June to early September.

Remarks:
Mesapamea secalis occurs from Northwest Africa across Europe to parts of Asia (e.g. Anatolia).

Hints on determination:
Mesapamea secalis can be distinguished as adult only through genital section with certainty.