Parastichtis ypsillon (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)


Parastichtis ypsillon: Adult (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2008) [S] Parastichtis ypsillon: Adult [S] Parastichtis ypsillon: Larva (eastern Swabian Alb, May 2008) [M] Parastichtis ypsillon: Larva (Donaumoos, Southern Germany) [M] Parastichtis ypsillon: Larva (Donaumoos, S-Germany) [M] Parastichtis ypsillon: Pupa [S] Parastichtis ypsillon: Pupa [S] Parastichtis ypsillon: Larval habitat with old willows along a river (eastern Baden-Württemberg 2011) [N]

Host plants:
The larvae feed on Salix and Populus. Mostly the caterpillars colonize older trees.

Habitat:
Parastichtis ypsillon inhabits softwood rich wooded areas, such as along rivers or in wetlands. Occasionally even a standalone old white willow in the open field, that still escaped from farmers, is enough for a small population.

Life cycle:
The caterpillar lives from April to May or June and rests during the day in bark crevices or under loose bark. The moths fly from June to early August. The eggs overwinter.

Endangerment factors:
Parastichtis ypsillon is in decline due to the destruction of unproductive (in the monetary sense) softwood stocks.

Remarks:
Parastichtis ypsillon is distributed from Northwest Africa across Europe and temperate Asia to the Amur.


German version / deutsche Version