Episauris kiliani Rebel, 1898


Episauris kiliani: Adult (e.l. La Gomera) [S] Episauris kiliani: Adult (are highly variable, e.l. La Gomera) [S] Episauris kiliani: Larva (La Gomera) [M] Episauris kiliani: Larva on Erica (La Gomera, February 2013) [M] Episauris kiliani: Larval habitat in La Gomera (February 2013) [N]

Host plants:
The caterpillars live on flowering Erica species (e.g. Erica arborea) and on Myrica faya. Probably they develop also on other Ericaceae.

Habitat:
Episauris kiliani inhabits light edges of the laurel forest and bushy areas (Spanish: fayal-brezal, plant society Fayo-Ericion arboreae) from about 500m above sea level.

Life cycle:
I found many larvae in late March 2006 in La Gomera on Myrica faya and in February 2012 on Erica arborea. Main larval time should be spring (February to April).

Endangerment factors:
Episauris kiliani has been already greatly suppressed by the destruction of forests. Nowadays the main threats are especially bush fires, expansion of vineyards into bushy zones and global warming (exsiccation).

Remarks:
Episauris kiliani is found on the western Canary Islands eastward to Gran Canaria and additionally on Madeira.