Polymixis polymita (Linnaeus, 1761)

Host plants:
The larvae are polyphagous. I recorded them on flower shots of yellow Asteraceae (Crepeis, Hieracium, Aposeris) in shadow and semi-shadow in woodland margins on Mount Taygetos.

Habitat:
Polymixis polymita inhabits most often open, rather dry woodlands, forest edges and similar places with forb communities and other herbaceous undergrowth. In the south (Mount Taygetos) I recorded larvae in about 960m in May in shadowy inner woodland margins.

Life cycle:
The moths occur mostly in August and September, partly still in October. The larvae develop in spring between March and late May or June. Half-grown and always green larvae are easily found on the flower stems of the preferred Asteraceae (observations on Mount Taygetos). In the final instar the larvae may be still green or (more often) brown. Then they live somewhat more hidden. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil where the pupa aestivates.

Remarks:
Polymixis polymita occurs locally in central Europe, to the northeast up to S-Sweden, Finland and the Batlic States. It misses in Iberia, the British Isles and in Benelux. It is further found in Italy and E- and SE-Europe down to Peloponnese (Taygetos mountains), also in NW-Turkey.