Cucullia santonici (Hübner, 1813)

Host plants:
The caterpillar lives on Artemisia species (Asteraceae). I found the larvae in the French Alps at Cucullia camphorata (= Artemisia alba, together with Cucullia cineracea).

Habitat:
Cucullia santonici inhabits steppe slopes and other dry grasslands at medium altitudes between 800 and 1700m above sea level with the larval host plant.

Life cycle:
The pupa hibernates. The moths fly from late June to late August. The caterpillars are found especially in August and September (still rare in early October). They rest open on the larval host plant during the day. The female oviposits apparently both on flowering and non-flowering plants.

Endangerment factors:
Cucullia santonici is moderately endangered as in the steppe-like habitats decrease (overbuilding, viticulture, tourism, partly bush encroachment and reforestation).

Remarks:
Cucullia santonici occurs from the Pyrenees across Southern France, northern and Central Italy (Apennines) and the Valais to Greece. Cucullia santonici is additionally found in Asia from Turkey to China.