Condica capensis (Guenée, 1852)


Condica capensis: Adult (La Palma, e.l. December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Adult (e.l. La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Adult (La Palma, e.l. December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Adult (La Palma, e.l. December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Adult (La Palma, e.l. December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Adult (e.l. La Gomera 2013) [S] Condica capensis: Young larva (La Gomera, La Dama, February 2013) [M] Condica capensis: Young larva (La Gomera, La Dama, February 2013) [M] Condica capensis: Half-grown larva (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Half-grown larva, brown form (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Half-grown larva (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [N] Condica capensis: Larva (La Gomera, February 2013) [M] Condica capensis: Larva (La Gomera, February 2013) [M] Condica capensis: Larva on Volutaria (La Gomera, February 2013) [N] Condica capensis: Larva on Volutaria (La Gomera, February 2013) [N] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [N] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [M] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Larva (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Larva caudal (La Palma, December 2010) [S] Condica capensis: Pupa dorsal [S] Condica capensis: Pupa [S] Condica capensis: Pupa [S] Condica capensis: Larval habitat in La Palma: Bidens on volcanic gravel, December 2010 [N] Condica capensis: Habitat in La Palma: Bidens pilosa, December 2010 [N]

Host plants:
The caterpillars live primarily on Bidens (Asteraceae). In addition, they should also use other Asteraceae. I observed a single larva on Volutaria canariensis (isolated plant without Bidens) and many on Bidens pilosa in La Gomera in February 2013.

Habitat:
Condica capensis inhabits warm areas such as ruderal terrain, river banks, road sides, bases of rocks etc. from sea level to about 600m asl.

Life cycle:
Condica capensis has probably a continuous succession of generations. However, it might survive dry periods in dormancy (probably in pupal stage). I found many larvae in La Palma in December 2010 and in La Gomera in February 2013, where Condica capensis was quite common at appropriate places with Bidens pilosa. The caterpillars hide during the day often near ground level on stems, leaves or even at the ground itself. The caterpillars occur in a green and a brown form, which include all the transitions.

Remarks:
Condica capensis is widespread in Africa and parts of Asia. It can also be found on the Atlantic islands (Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde). In Europe it is observed sporadically in Southern Spain, but is apparently indigenous there. Very rarely, adults migrate further north or are deported there (about Denmark and England).



Condica viscosa 
German version / deutsche Version