Ocneria rubea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Host plants:
The larvae feed preferredly on oak (Quercus), but are recorded - especially after hibernation - also from many other shrubs like Cistus, Rubus, Arbutus etc. I recorded them on Quercus pyrenaica in the Sierra de Gredos and on Q. coccifera in the Monegros (Spain). In rearing, also Rubus fruticosus (winter green leaves) have been accepted.

Habitat:
Ocneria rubea inhabits maquis, open oak scrub and oak woodlands.

Life cycle:
The larvae hibernate and are mature in May or early June. I recorded larvae shortly after hibernation in the Sierra de Gredos in 1000m in early May 2022 and mature ones in the low and hot Monegros also in early May 2022. The moths occur in one or two generations between June and early October (most often June/July and locally September). The young larvae prefer young and low growing oaks or low twigs. The feeding scars are very conspicuous at high densities of larvae in autumn. The larvae hibernate in the litter of old oak leaves. I recorded such larvae by shaking out oak litter in late March 2022 (Sierra de Gredos).

Remarks:
Ocneria rubea occurs in NW-Africa and southern Europe. It is found up to central France, the southern Alps (e.g. Ticino) and east of the Alps up to Slovakia and the CZech Republic. In Germany there is only an old record from the west and Ocneria rubea is considered extinct.