Orthonama obstipata (Fabricius, 1794)

Synonyms/other combinations:
Nycterosea obstipata

Orthonama obstipata: Adult (e.l. La Gomera, Las Rosas, December 2011) [S] Orthonama obstipata: Adult (e.l. La Gomera, Las Rosas, December 2011) [S] Orthonama obstipata: Adult (e.l. La Gomera, December 2011) [S] Orthonama obstipata: Adult (e.l. La Gomera, December 2011) [S] Orthonama obstipata: Larva (La Gomera, December 2011) [M] Orthonama obstipata: Larva (La Gomera, December 2011) [M] Orthonama obstipata: Larva (La Gomera, December 2011) [M] Orthonama obstipata: Larva (La Gomera, December 2011) [M] Orthonama obstipata: Pupa (e.l. La Gomera 2011) [S] Orthonama obstipata: Larval habitat in La Gomera: more humid grass/Galium aparine stands near Las Rosas, December 2011. [N]

Host plants:
I found the caterpillar on Galium aparine (La Gomera). It might prefer Galium, but feeds possibly also on other plants.

Habitat:
I found the caterpillar in La Gomera in moist places at the base of cliffs, along with those of Mythimna unipuncta (December 2011).

Life cycle:
The caterpillars hide during the day at the base of the herb layer. Pupation takes place in a cocoon in the soil. In warm areas, the moths fly over the whole year.

Remarks:
Orthonama obstipata is widespread in warm areas almost cosmopolitan and is also found in Southern Europe.