Dysauxes ancilla Linnaeus 1767
Handmaid
Notes:Adults of this species fly in July and August. They occur in sunny woodland openings, deciduous forests and edges of damp forests. This is uncommon species. Moths fly during
the night. Females have four white spots on
the fore wings while the males have only
three spots (the picture). The caterpillar is
yellowish brown with a four bristles on each
body segment. It feeds on lichens (Lichenes) or sometimes also on the moss and plants. It lives since the half of August till May of the next year. Caterpillar overwinters in the
crannies of the bark. The blackish brown pupa is placed inside of a thin cocoon, that is
usually made under the moss.
Host plants:Lichenes spp.
Similar species:Dysauxes punctata.
Range: Palearkt. (Central and south-east Europe to Kaukaz).
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