Acronicta megacephala (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)


Acronicta megacephala: Adult [S] Acronicta megacephala: Adult [S] Acronicta megacephala: Adult [S] Acronicta megacephala: Adult (e.l. Memmingen) [S] Acronicta megacephala: Adult [S] Acronicta megacephala: Young larva (Northern Greece, Lake Kerkini, May 2011) [N] Acronicta megacephala: Young larva (Northern Greece, Lake Kerkini, May 2011) [M] Acronicta megacephala: Half-grown larva (Northern Greece, May 2011) [S] Acronicta megacephala: Larva (Hautes-Alpes, July 2012) [M] Acronicta megacephala: Larva (Memmingen) [M] Acronicta megacephala: Larva (Memmingen, Southern Germany) [M] Acronicta megacephala: Poplar-rich habitat in Northern Greece (Lake Kerkini). Here I found larvae already in May 2011. [N]

Host plants:
Populus species, rarely Salix. Most caterpillars are found on Populus tremula (aspen).

Habitat:
Acronicta megacephala colonizes softwood-rich forests of all kinds and is also found in poplar avenues and in residential areas.

Life cycle:
Acronicta megacephala flies in one or two overlapping generations from May to August. The caterpillar is usually found from June to September. In the south (Greece), I found larvae as early as May 2011. Here also a partial third generation seems possible.

Remarks:
Acronicta megacephala is found relatively frequently and ios widespread in Central Europe. The overall distribution ranges from Morocco to Japan.



Acronicta aceris | Acronicta alni | Acronicta auricoma | Acronicta cuspis | Acronicta euphorbiae | Acronicta leporina | Acronicta menyanthidis | Acronicta orientalis | Acronicta psi | Acronicta rumicis | Acronicta tridens 
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