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.