Polypogon tentacularius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
The caterpillars live in the litter and feed mostly on yellowing or dead plant parts. But the larva also feeds on soft parts of living plants.

Habitat:
Polypogon tentacularius inhabits humid to dry, quite nutrient-poor redges in limestone grasslands (for example at hedge margins) or along forest paths and on clearings/clearcuts. The sites are always located near woods.

Life cycle:
The caterpillar overwinters and the adults fly from early or mid-June to late July. They can be flushed out of the ground-near vegetation.

Endangerment: endangered

Endangerment factors:
Polypogon tentacularius is in decline through dark forest management, eutrophication (spread of Urtica and Rubus in forests) and agricultural intensification (no more edges).

Remarks:
The total distribution extends from France to Japan. Polypogon tentacularius lacks in southernmost Europe.