Adscita jordani (Naufock, 1921)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on sorrels like especially R. acetosella. But this is not well proved in the field, despite the fact that this plant is abundant as onl suitable host plant in all A. jordani sites I know. It is further to investigate if also Helianthemum plays a role.

Habitat:
Adscita jordani inhabits especially extensively managed grasslands, embankments, rocky slopes and pastures from hilly areas up to the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula. Compared to A. schmidti Adscita jordani penetrates much more into dry and hot habitats.

Life cycle:
The moths occur very early between April and July, according to region and altitude. They are often much earlier than A. schmidti. But there are also records of both species at the same time. The half-grown larvae enter an aestivation approximately between July and September - presumably an adaptation to dry environments in summer and is much less recorded in A. schmidti. The larvae restart feeding in autumn and development is more continuous then. Presumably they interrupt development in winter only in cold periods or high altitudes for a longer time, which stands in contrast to A. schmidti. Pupation occurs as usual in a two-layered cocoon in the upper soil.

Remarks:
Adscita jordani is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Adscita jordani is more similar to A. obscura or A. mannii in its life cycle than to A. statices and A. schmidti. A genital preparation is indicated for proper determination (as it is the case in many foresters), even if the early flight time and the more hairy body (see photos) give hints in this species.