Hadena compta ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Host plants:
The species uses different species of Dianthus as especially Dianthus carthusianorum in grasslands and Dianthus barbatus in gardens. In Northern Greece I found larvae in almost all examined species of Dianthus from the lowlands up to 2300m above sea level, for example Dianthus cruentus (Florina), Diantus minutiflorus (Olympus) or Dianthus haematocalyx (Olympus). In South Tyrol and in the Bregenzerwald, I found caterpillars on Dianthus sylvestris.

Habitat:
The habitat is dominated by the location of the hostplant. On the one hand it colonizes hot grasslands, alpine meadows and rocky slopes, on the other hand parks and gardens.

Life cycle:
The moths fly in one or more rarely two generations in June/July. The caterpillars are found from mid-June through August. The pupa overwinters. The breedings, there is a partial second generation, which is expected to occur at least in Southern Europe also in the field.

Endangerment factors:
A portion of the sites is at risk due to the loss of grasslands. But because Hadena compta is also found in urban areas and is very mobile, it can still be considered as not endangered.

Remarks:
Hadena compta occurs from Morocco across Europe and temperate Asia to Japan. In the Alps it is still found in 2500m asl (e.g. Valais).