Orthosia gracilis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

Host plants:
The species is polyphagous on deciduous woods and many kinds of plants of the herb layer. Of all Orthosia she is most commonly found near the ground on herbs. I found them on Filipendula, Epilobium, Medicago and once in the Valais in masses on flowers of Trifolium pratense.

Habitat:
Orthosia gracilis inhabits almost all not too intensively managed habitats (no manure meadows). I found the caterpillars, that live except in last instar in webbed shelters of leaves or between flowers, often along streams on Filipendula ulmaria (near Memmingen) or in the vicinity of a forest on Trifolium.

Life cycle:
The moths overwinter far developed in the chrysalis and emerge from March to May. The caterpillars are found mostly between May and late June or early July.

Endangerment factors:
Orthosia gracilis is not endangered.

Remarks:
Orthosia gracilis is widespread in Europe (except in the extreme north and south) and temperate Asia.