Philareta treitschkii (Frivaldszky, 1835)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on species of Scutellaria. In Lefkada (Greece) Scutellaria rupestris was the host plant.

Habitat:
Philareta treitschkii is especially found in shrubby, warm screes, often in open woodland or scrub. Locally also slopes in higher altitudes around the timber line are inhabited. In lower altitudes it is also found along dry river beds within woodlands or in olive groves. In general, many Scutellaria are species of screes.

Life cycle:
The pupa hibernates in a cocoon in the soil, partially several times. The moths occur between late April or May and July (in high altitudes even early August). In Lefkada Island I recorded them quite numerously resting on Scutellaria flower stands in 600m asl in early July during daytime. The eggs are deposited singly on the plants, often on flower buds. The larva develops from May to August (between 500 and 1400m supposedly mostly mid-June to late July). It prefers fruits.

Endangerment factors:
Philareta treitschkii is locally endangered, especially in lower altitudes. Main causes are grazing on the one hand and overgrowth with shrubs or trees on the other. Especially in the lowest elevations also large cuttings with subsequent heat and drought may cause damage. Probably some more populations will be found in remote scree-rich mountain slopes.

Remarks:
Philareta treitschkii occurs locally from SE-Europe (Greece, Bulgaria, Repuplic of North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine) accross Turkey and the Caucasus region to Iran.