Lithomoia solidaginis (Hübner, [1803])


Lithomoia solidaginis: Adult (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Adult (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Adult (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Adult (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Adult (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Adult (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Young larva (northern Black Forest, SW-Germany, early May 2012) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Young larva (northern Black Forest, SW-Germany, early May 2012) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Young larva (northern Black Forest, SW-Germany, early May 2012) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Half-grown larva (Ammersee, S-Bavaria, mid-May 2013) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Half-grown larva (Ammersee, S-Bavaria, mid-May 2013) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Half-grown larva (Ammersee, S-Bavaria, mid-May 2013) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Half-grown larva (Ammersee, S-Bavaria, mid-May 2013) [M] Lithomoia solidaginis: Larva (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Larva (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Larva (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Larva (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Larva (e.l. Ammersee, S-Bavaria, 2013) [S] Lithomoia solidaginis: Larval habitat in the northern Black Forest: open spruce-rich forests with Vaccinium myrtillus (May 2012) [N] Lithomoia solidaginis: Habitat near the S-Bavarian Ammersee with Vaccinium uliginosum and V. myrtillus in May 2013 [N]

Host plants:
The larvae feed on Vaccinium species, especially Vaccinium uliginosum and V. myrtillus.

Habitat:
Lithomoia solidaginis is found in bogs, bog woodland, mountainous forests, dwarf shrub belts and other acidic sites with the host plants. The larvae are mostly found in half shady position in inner and outer woodland margins, but sometimes also in the understory.

Life cycle:
The egg hibernates. The larvae feed between April and June. The younger caterpillars are easily recorded by beating. The moths are on the wing especially in August and September.

Endangerment factors:
Lithomoia solidaginis is locally endangered due to drainage of moors and also dense dark forest management.

Remarks:
Lithomoia solidaginis occurs in Central and Northern Europe as well as in temperate Asia to Japan. In more southern regions of Europe it is found only locally in mountains.


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