Allophyes oxyacanthae (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
The larvae mostly feed on Crataegus and Prunus species. But they live occasionally also on other Rosaceae. I found a larva on the eastern Swabian Alb (Germany) on a young apple bush (Malus) at a forest trail.

Habitat:
Allophyes oxyacanthae inhabits hedges, grove rich grasslands, riparian forests, clearings and forest coats.

Life cycle:
The egg overwintser. The caterpillar is found from April to June. It can be tapped from the old blackthorn bushes. Older larvae hide often near the ground on the stem bases during the day. The moth flies from September to early November.

Remarks:
Allophyes oxyacanthae occurs across most of Europe. In Asia, it is not very widespread (only in the Middle East, Caucasus).