Perisomena caecigena (Kupido, 1825)

Host plants:
The caterpillar lives most often on oak species (Quercus). Near Grevena I recorded them on Quercus frainetto, on Samos island on Q. coccifera and near Zadar in Croatia on Q. pubescens. But the species can also use other groves. On Lesbos island I found larvae on Pyrus spinosa.

Habitat:
Perisomena caecigena inhabits clear, warm oak forests and other areas with oak bushes to about 1400m above sea level. I met numerous mature caterpillars in May 2010 in the northern Greek Pindos west of Grevena together with those of Eriogaster rimicola and Satyrium ilicis on oak bushes (1 to 4 m in height) on warm embankments of roads through oak woods.

Life cycle:
The moths emerge in the autumn (late September to November), usually in the late afternoon (breeding observation). The eggs overwinter singly or in small groups on the bark of branches and stems. The caterpillar is mature in late May or in June. It is usually found singly. Pupation takes place on the ground between dry leaves, etc. in a net-like cocoon.

Endangerment factors:
Perisomena caecigena is sometimes locally threatened by forest destruction, but apparently in many places still common.

Remarks:
Perisomena caecigena is found in Italy (Abruzzo). However, it is much more common in the Balkans, where it can be observed from Istria and southern Hungary to Greece (especially common in Pindos), to Turkey and to Transcaucasia.