Apamea characterea (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

Host plants:
The species feeds primarily on Brachypodium sylvaticum, but it accepts other grasses in breeding.

Habitat:
Apamea characterea colonizes especially the undergrowth and inner edges of montainous forests with occurrence of Brachypodium sylvaticum. Here I found caterpillars together with such of Pararge aegeria in fairly low light forests along trails.

Life cycle:
The young caterpillars live at first (August to early or mid-October) in the rolled grass leaves (by fine webs). These shelters are especially created for moulting. Later, they live concealed on the ground feed at night the leaves and especially the dew moistened fruits. In early December they are mostly grown, but sometimes feed until around March/early April.

Endangerment factors:
Apamea characterea is not endangered. It is much more common than believed. I found it by search for larvae yet in any random sample forest (Schwäbisch Gmünd, Heidenheim, Memmingen).

Remarks:
The total distribution stretches from Europe through temperate Asia to eastern Siberia. In Europe it occurs mainly in the center and in the north to about southern Sweden and Scotland quite widespread (but also some gaps). In the south, it is rare and limited to the humid mountains (missing in the Iberian Peninsula).