Barbitistes serricauda (Fabricius, 1798)

Nutrition:
As a larva the species feeds more on herbs and leaves of shrubs such as Lonicera and Corylus, as Imago more on leaves of deciduous trees (oak, hornbeam etc.). Also, fir, spruce and pine needles (can also be found in pine forests).

Habitat:
Barbitistes serricauda shows preferences for light deciduous forests, but can be found in principle in all forests and also parks. The larvae are most often found in woodland edges with bushes and forbs.

Life cycle:
The eggs overwinter twice in bark crevices, according to literature. The larvae are found in the April/May closer to the ground in the herb and shrub layer. The adults are encountered most likely when they have fallen from the trees after a storm.

Endangerment factors:
Barbitistes serricauda is only at low risk. Coniferous monocultures as suboptimal habitats push Barbitistes serricauda back a little here and there.

Remarks:
Barbitistes serricauda mainly occurs in central and eastern Europe (from the main ridge of the Alps to the central parts of Germany, e.g. the Harz mountains or the Middle Rhine Valley). In the southern Alps it is replaced by Barbitistes obtusus.