Ophiusa tirhaca (Cramer, 1777)

Host plants:
The caterpillar can be found on Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae, for example on Pistacia atlantica.

Habitat:
Ophiusa tirhaca can reproduce in many subtropical to tropical habitat types. In the Mediterranean region it is common in the hard-leaf woodlands and their degeneration stages such as garrigues.

Life cycle:
In the south Ophiusa tirhaca can be observed all the year. In the Mediterranean region there are usually several generations between March and October. Oviposition takes place singly on the trunks and older stems of the plants. The young larvae search for soft, young shoots where they feed on the youngest leaves. The older larvae live partly very cryptically as it is the case with Catocala species: they hide well camouflaged on twigs and stems. But in February 2013, I observed several older larvae in the sunshine on the tips of shoots (La Gomera).

Remarks:
Ophiusa tirhaca is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. In Europe it penetrates to the north as far as Lake Garda. Further north there are only rare vagrants.