Leucania zeae (Duponchel, 1827)

Host plants:
The caterpillar feeds primarily on grasses, apparently particularly Phragmites and also corn. I recorded the larva in Sardinia on Phragmites.

Habitat:
Leucania zeae inhabits warm, low-lying habitats with grasses, often in coastal swamps, but also in more xerothermic environments, e.g. river beds and banks, oases, coastal areas, also cultivated zones.

Life cycle:
According to literature, Leucania zeae has two generations (one in spring and early summer and another in autumn) in Southern Europe. The larva hibernates.
I recorded half-grown larvae in Sardinia in early October 2018 which developed to the adult without interruption.

Remarks:
Leucania zeae occurs in Southern Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia to China.