Apamea lateritia (Hufnagel, 1766)

Host plants:
The caterpillar feeds on tussock forming grasses.

Habitat:
Apamea lateritia inhabits various, only extensively used grasslands. Important are for examplet Nardus grasslands, embankments, stony areas, heaths and Calluna-bogs. But Apamea lateritia occurs occasionally also at low altitudes, but is more a mountain species from about 400m above sea level. I found caterpillars in the Alps on several occasions in 2000 to 2300m above sea level (Valais, South Tyrol).

Life cycle:
The caterpillar overwinters relatively small and is usually grown in May or June (depending on altitude). They live in an enclosure in the root collar region of the tussock. The moths fly from late June to August.

Endangerment factors:
In the Alps, Apamea lateritia is not endangered. In lower areas, a certain endangerment results from the general decline in nutrient-poor habitats.

Remarks:
Apamea lateritia is widespread in Europe and temperate Asia to Japan. In southern Europe the moth is only locally present in the mountains.