Hemaris croatica (Esper, 1779)

Host plants:
The caterpillars live on Dipsacaceae (carding family). In most cases it is Scabiosa species. At such I found eggs in Northern Greece.

Habitat:
Hemaris croatica inhabits grasslands, wide woodland edges and shrubbery rich slopes. It can also occur in open forests that are interspersed with pastures and grasslands. Oviposition is often observed in verges on quiet roads. It is important that Scabiosa grows in well sunlit, only gappy overgrown sites.

Life cycle:
Hemaris croatica occurs in one or two generations per year. The pupa overwinters. I watched oviposition south of Mount Olympus in Northern Greece in late May 2010. Most caterpillars developed to the adults in July and August (breeding). The caterpillars live from late May to early October. In populations with two generations a peak is expected in June/early July and again from late August to September. Otherwise, such as in the north or in higher elevations, larvae are expected mainly from late June to early August. The moths are diurnal and show a very strong flight, so they are usually observed only briefly. Eggs are laid on shoots and leaves in few centimeters to decimeters above ground.

Endangerment factors:
Hemaris croatica is at times endangered by over-grazing, and habitat loss (succession, afforestation, overbuilding, intensification), especially in the north.

Remarks:
Hemaris croatica occurs in Europe in particular in the Balkan Peninsula. To the north it is found to the south-eastern Alps (Slovenia in particular) and to Hungary. From the southeast of Austria and the north-eastern Italy (Trieste), there are old data (whether currently?). Furthermore, the butterfly is found in Asia Minor and Transcaucasia.