Macrothylacia rubi (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
The larva feeds on many kinds of perennials and small shrubs, especially Rosaceae (Rubus, Agrimonia) and Fabaceae.

Habitat:
Macrothylacia rubi inhabits uncut, not too nutrient-rich open land as grasslands, hems, embankments, large clearings, fallow land and woodland edges.

Life cycle:
The caterpillar overwinters and pupates in the spring without re-feeding. The adults appear in May and June. Oviposition takes place in clusters on blades or stems. The young caterpillars are found in late June. Mature caterpillars are observed particularly in September and early October. They are partly nocturnal, but often also seen during the day especially in overcast.

Endangerment factors:
Besides Dendrolimus pini, Macrothylacia rubi is still the most common large Lasiocampid species in Central Europe. But even this species has already become very scarce, especially in habitat-poor regions with intense agriculture.

Remarks:
Macrothylacia rubi occurs from Northern Spain to the Asian Amur region. In Europe it misses especially in the southern Mediterranean region.