Phalera bucephala (Linnaeus, 1758)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on deciduous trees and bushes, mainly oak, lime, willow, poplar, hornbeam, as well as beech, birch, hazel and alder. Never or only very exceptionally, however, ash, maple or privet (most likely still Acer campestre).

Habitat:
Phalera bucephala inhabits all kinds of habitats with deciduous woods, to about 1700m above sea level in the Alps.

Life cycle:
The pupa overwinters in the soil in a light cocoon. The moths fly from May to July and the caterpillars develop from June to September. They live socially and stand out with grazed bare branches from a distance.

Endangerment factors:
Phalera bucephala is still widespread and as tree- and bush species in principle less threatened than species with special demands on micro-climate and habitat, such as grasslands residents.

Remarks:
Phalera bucephala is common throughout Europe and in non-polar temperate Asia.