Apamea sublustris (Esper, 1788)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on Poaceae, maybe also Cyperaceae. I found a caterpillar on a limestone grassland (Heidenheim, eastern Swabian Alb) on Festuca guestfalica (Festuca ovina agg.) in February 2008. I observed several caterpillars on the same plant in the Swabian Alb in April 2010.

Habitat:
Apamea sublustris inhabits grassy, rather extensively used areas such as nutrient-poor grasslands, roadsides, embankments, ruderal terrain and hayfields. The caterpillars are often observed on rocky places on Festuca ovina agg., but this reflects only a small part of the potential larval habitats.

Life cycle:
Apamea sublustris flies from June to August. The caterpillar overwinters apparently in penultimate instar (observation in early February), and lives concealed in a cavity at the base of grass clumps.

Remarks:
Apamea sublustris is widespread in Europe and is also found in Asia Minor.

Hints on determination:
Apamea sublustris is similar to Apamea lithoxylaea. But the latter has a more whitish-yellow and less yellowish-brown base colour. The lithoxylaea-larva is more clear, less dirty-brownish in colour. The pupae can be distiinguished easily: Apamea sublustris has a broad flat cremaster with four more or less equal hooks (outer ones a bit less developed). The cremaster of Apamea lithoxylaea is much smaller with only two major hooks.