Xestia baja (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

Host plants:
The caterpillars are polyphagous and feed on herbs and leaves of young or low growing woods.

Habitat:
Xestia baja inhabits rather hygrophilous bushy areas, forests and their edges along paths or on clearings and other forb-rich communities. I found the young caterpillar often from September to November for example near Schwäbisch Gmünd and Memmingen (Germany) near the banks of streams.

Life cycle:
The moths fly in July and August, rarely still in September. The caterpillar overwinters and is mature in May. It can be tapped like most Xestia species in autumn (mainly October to mid-November) in the ground-near riparian vegetation as well as in nettle and herbaceous communities of woody edges. In the spring it is easy to find with a pocket lamp at night and climbs even higher on young shrubs.

Remarks:
Xestia baja is widespread in Eurasia and usually common in moist regions.