Idaea pallidata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Host plants:
The caterpillar feeds on withered, dead plants, but also on living herbaceous plants, particularly Fabaceae like Hippocrepis comosa and Lotus corniculatus.

Habitat:
Idaea pallidata inhabits warm and dry calcareous grasslands, which are at least somewhat higher-growing and have a well-developed litter layer, but also show only gappy overgrown areas. Furthermore, hedges or other shrubbery borders are often typical of the populated grasslands.

Life cycle:
The caterpillar overwinters and pupates usually in April. The moths fly in a single generation from mid-May to mid-June (hardly more than 2-3 weeks at a given location) and are partly diurnal respectively are easily flushed.

Endangerment: strongly endangered

Endangerment factors:
Idaea pallidata is endangered in many regions because the habitats are felting more and more due to eutrophication or are overgrazed (paddocks are probably not tolerated). Too extreme bush removals are also likely damaging factors.

Remarks:
Idaea pallidata has a large range in Europe, but is found only very locally. In temperate Asia, it is observed to the Amur.

In flight, the males appear brownish, however, the females white.