Pyrois effusa (Boisduval, 1828)

Synonyms/other combinations:
Amphipyra effusa

Pyrois effusa: Adult (e.l. Provence 2013) [S] Pyrois effusa: Adult (e.l. Provence 2013) [S] Pyrois effusa: Adult (e.l. Provence 2013) [S] Pyrois effusa: Adult (e.l. Provence 2013) [S] Pyrois effusa: Adult (left fore wing a bit crippled), e.l. Provence, France, Massif de la Sainte Baume, larva in April 2011. [N] Pyrois effusa: Half-grown larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, Provence, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Half-grown larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, Provence, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif de la Sainte Baume, April 2011) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif de la Sainte Baume, April 2011) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Crete, early May 2013) [N] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Samos, early May 2009) [M] Pyrois effusa: Larva (Massif Ste. Victoire, April 2013) [M] Pyrois effusa: Pupa [S] Pyrois effusa: Larval habitat with Lonicera in the Massif Ste. Victoire (Provence, April 2013) [N] Pyrois effusa: Larval habitat with Lonicera in the Massif Ste. Victoire (Provence, April 2013) [N] Pyrois effusa: Larval habitat with Lonicera in the Massif Ste. Victoire (Provence, April 2013) [N] Pyrois effusa: Habitat in the Massif de la Sainte Baume, Provence, France, April 2011 [N]

Host plants:
According to literature, the caterpillars live on herbs and semi-shrubs as Erica, Cytisus and Cistus. I found a fully-grown larva in Provence in late April 2011 resting on rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) where it presumably also had eaten. In April 2013, I observed three larvae also in Provence (Massif Ste. Victoire) on Lonicera etrusca. Lonicera might be an quite important plant genus for the species. In Crete I observed a larva on Spartium junceum in early May 2013.

Habitat:
Pyrois effusa inhabits the Mediterranean maquis, garrigue and very bright white oak forests with well developed shrub and herb layer up to about 800m above sea level.

Life cycle:
The caterpillars become mature in April or May. The moths fly according to literature from May until the autumn/winter and aestivate in the hot summer months. They are reported to rest in caves.

Remarks:
Pyrois effusa occurs from Northwest Africa across the Mediterranean and the warmer parts of Asia.


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