Spilosoma lutea (Hufnagel, 1766)

Host plants:
The caterpillar is polyphagous. They can be found often at on Urtica dioica or Cirsium.

Habitat:
Spilosoma lutea is quite modest and not exacting, but less commonly found in open meadows than Spilosoma lubricipeda. It prefers more woody habitats. It regularly occurs on nettle in wet forests along the trails. Spilosoma lutea is also found in nature gardens on the edge of shrubbery. Dry habitats are rather avoided.

Life cycle:
The development is similar to Spilosoma lubricipeda, the partial second generation is a bit more often. The moths are usually observed from May to June (until August), the caterpillars from mid-June to October.

Endangerment factors:
Yet Spilosoma lutea is widespread and sometimes common.

Remarks:
The distribution ranges from almost all of Europe (missing in Northern Scandinavia) to Japan.