Hecatera bicolorata (Hufnagel, 1766)


Hecatera bicolorata: Adult (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, larva in early July 2013) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Adult (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb, Heidenheim/Brenz, larva in early July 2013) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Adult (e.l. Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (dark form, W-Austria, Kanisfluh, August 2010) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (dark form, W-Austria, Kanisfluh, August 2010) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (dark form, W-Austria, Kanisfluh, August 2010) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (W-Austria, Silvretta, August 2013) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (W-Austria, Silvretta, August 2013) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (eastern Swabian Alb, early July 2013, on Crepis biennis) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larva (eastern Swabian Alb, early July 2013, on Crepis biennis) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Pupa (e.l. W-Austria, Silvretta, 2013) [S] Hecatera bicolorata: Larval habitat in this grassland complex on the eastern Swabian Alb was an already faded Crepis biennis at a more untypical place (early July 2013) [N]

Host plants:
The larvae feed on Asteraceae, mainly Lactuca species, Prenanthes purpurea, Crepis and Mycelis muralis.

Habitat:
Hecatera bicolorata inhabits forest edges, extensive meadows of all kinds, quarries, clearings and similar habitats. Usually it settles in more mesophilic areas. Occasionally, larvae are also found in gardens.

Life cycle:
The moth flies in one or two generations from May to August. The pupa overwinters. The caterpillars can be found from June to September. They also sit open on the host plant during the day.

Endangerment: regionally endangered or decreasing

Endangerment factors:
Hecatera bicolorata is in decline due to the loss of extensive habitats.

Remarks:
The distribution ranges from Northern Spain through Central Europe to eastern Asia.



Hecatera cappa | Hecatera dysodea 
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