Lasiocampa serrula (Guenée, 1858)

Host plants:
The lavae usually feed on Chenopodiaceae (nowadays included in Amaranthaceae). In S-Cyprus (Akrotiri) I recorded them only on Arthrocnemum macrostachyum.

Habitat:
Lasiocampa serrula inhabits salt steppes, semideserts, periodically dry shores of salt lakes, dunes and similar places.

Life cycle:
The moths fly in late autumn (according to region between October and December). The larvae develop especially between January/February and April/early May. They rest openly on the plants during daytime, but hide away in heat. The pupa aestivates in the ovoid cocoon up to half a year.

Endangerment factors:
Lasiocampa serrula has locally already been pushed back by overbuilding, tourism infrastructure and agricultural intensification.

Remarks:
Lasiocampa serrula occurs locally in Spain, N-Africa and from Asia Minor and the Near East (incl. Cyprus) eastward.