Aiolopus strepens (Latreille, 1804)

Nutrition:
The insects feed especially on grasses.

Habitat:
Aiolopus strepens inhabits riverbanks, dry to mesophilic grasslands, embankments, woodland edges, shrubland with open soil spots, quarries, etc. The well flying species can be found in Ticino to over 1500m above sea level. I found it on Madeira still in 1800m asl.

Life cycle:
Adults can be found almost year-round. Aiolopus strepens generally hibernates as adult. Oviposition takes place in the spring (but most likely also already in late summer/autumn). On the northern edge of the distribution (Ticino, Geneva) surely only a part of the adults survives until spring.

Endangerment factors:
Aiolopus strepens is relatively widespread and only locally endangered stronger.

Remarks:
Aiolopus strepens occurs for example in Africa, on the Canary Islands, Madeira and in the whole Mediterranean region. The northern boundary is located in the south of Switzerland, where it is found at Geneva and in southern Ticino.