Eilema caniola (Hübner, 1808)


Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Vinschgau, South Tyrol 2011) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Vinschgau, South Tyrol 2011) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Vinschgau, South Tyrol 2011) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Vinschgau, South Tyrol 2011) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Provence 2013) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Provence, France) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Provence, France) [S] Eilema caniola: Adult (e.l. Provence 2013) [S] Eilema caniola: Larva (Provence, Alpilles, April 2013) [S] Eilema caniola: Larva (Vinschgau, South Tyrol, April 2011) [M] Eilema caniola: Larva (Vinschgau, South Tyrol, April 2011) [M] Eilema caniola: Larva (e.l. Vinschgau, South Tyrol, April 2011) [S] Eilema caniola: Larva (Provence, France, April) [S] Eilema caniola: Pupa (e.l. Vinschgau, South Tyrol 2011) [S] Eilema caniola: Larval habitat in the Vinschgau, South Tyrol.This type of habitat has become much rarer there than it used to be due to large afforestations and intense agriculture (wine, fruits). April 2011. [N]

Host plants:
The caterpillars live on algae, moss, lichens or detritus and (partly fallen or wilted) flowers.

Habitat:
In Central Europe Eilema caniola usually inhabits cities (mossy rooftops) in favored climatic situation (southwest Germany, Switzerland), but also rocky slopes. In southern Europe the moth is very common and ubiquitous on rocky slopes, in the maquis, on dry roadside verges (even without any rocks) that are adjacent to undeveloped terrain. Here I found caterpillars numerous in April and early May near Manosque in Provence.

Life cycle:
In Central Europe the moth is on the wing in one or two generations from May to early October, with peak in June and in September. In the south, however, two or more often three generations fly from April to early November. But I think, that many larvae pass the hot and dry summer in dormance. The caterpillar overwinters and can be found in the spring, especially in April.

Endangerment factors:
North of the Alps, Eilema caniola is very local and only occasionally frequent. It is threatened by excessive cleaning of roofs and walls, as well as bush encroachment in rocky slopes. South of the Alps, Eilema caniola is common and not particularly vulnerable.

Remarks:
The distribution extends from Northwest Africa across Southern and Central Europe to Western Asia.



Eilema albicosta | Eilema bipunctata | Eilema cereola | Eilema complana | Eilema deplana | Eilema griseola | Eilema interpositella | Eilema lurideola | Eilema lutarella | Eilema morosina | Eilema palliatella | Eilema pygmaeola | Eilema sororcula | Eilema uniola