Epipsilia latens (Hübner, [1809])

Host plants:
The larvae feed on grasses. Most important are tufty Festuca species of the ovina agg. type. But other grasses are also used (e.g. Bromus erectus).

Habitat:
Epipsilia latens inhabits nutrient-poor, preferredly steep grasslands with open soil and rocky, open slopes, most often between 500 and 2000m. It is sometimes accompanied by Chazara briseis which shows similar habitat preferences.

Life cycle:
The young larva should hibernate. They are mature in April or May. I recorded them in tussocks of Festuca during daytime. The moths occur between June and September.

Endangerment factors:
Epipsilia latens is near the extinction in Central Europe outside the Alps because nutrient-poor grasslands withs open soil or rocks have become very scarce especially due to bush encroachment, abandonment of grazing, nutrient contamination and avoidance of abrasion.

Remarks:
Epipsilia latens occurs from N-Spain across Southern and Central Europe to Iran. In the Southeast (e.g. Balkans) the distribution is still quite unclear/uncertain because of confusion with the similar Epipsilia cervantes.