Hyphoraia testudinaria

Description

Hyphoraia testudinaria (Patton's tiger) is a moth of the family Erebidae. It was described by Geoffroy in 1785. It is found from northern Spain to southern and central France and southern Switzerland to north-eastern and southern Italy. It has also been recorded from Great Britain. The habitat consists of grasslands, slopes, forest edges, clear dry forests, cliffs and mountain slopes, maquis, garigues and dry meadows. The wingspan is 35–45 mm. Adults are on wing in May and July. The larvae feed on various low-growing plants, including Plantago, Rumex, Achillea, Euphorbia cyparissias, Potentilla, Hieracium, Taraxacum, Cynoglossum, Deschampsia, Calamagrostis. The species overwinters in the larval stage. Pupation often takes place under flat stones.