Host plants:
Berberis species (such as the native B. vulgaris, or more rarely B. thunbergii in gardens).
Habitat:
Rheumaptera cervinalis inhabits riparian forests, mountain forests, shrubbery rich dry slopes and Berberis-plantings in gardens and parks.
Life cycle:
The moths fly early from March to May and only sporadically again in a very partial second generation in July/August. The caterpillars live especially from late April to late June/early July. The moths overwinter partially developed within the pupa.
Remarks:
The way flies in north Africa and parts of Europe to Central Asia. In Europe it is quite common for example in the Alps, but is mostly absent from the Mediterranean region.