Host plants:
The larvae feed on flowers and fruits of Dictamus albus.
Habitat:
Pyrrhia purpura inhabits partly rocky or otherwise open dry woodland, edges, steppe woodland, and scrub with the host plant.
Life cycle:
The moths occur between late April and mid-June. The pupa hibernates. Obviously regionally also individuals of a partial second generation are recorded. Oviposition occurs on the flower buds or on the inflorescenses of the host plant. Young larvae live often quite hidden in the flowers, but older ones openly. In late May and early June 2019 I recorded at the same time worn adults, many eggs and larvae of all instars quite commonly in a confined habitat near Edessa. All of the few reared larvae hibernated as pupa (no second generation).
Endangerment factors:
Pyrrhia purpura is heavily endangered, especially in the western part of its range. Main reason is overgrowth of its habitats, but locally also direct destroyment (e.g. overbuilding, agriculture).
Remarks:
Pyrrhia purpura occurs locally from E-Austria and E-Czech Republic across the Balkans to Sibiria (Altai Mountains).