Last modified: Nov. 8, 2023, 11:59 a.m.
A rather common species throughout Belgium.
Native
The adults fly in two overlapping generations from the end of April till July, and again from end July till late September.
The very polyphageous larva lives on a variety of plants, mainly in wet habitats Epilobium, Filipendula, Potentilla, Limonium vulgare and Artemisia maritima, but it has been recorded also from Quercus, Acer pseudoplatanus, Petasites hybridus, Rubus idaeus and even Picea.
Larvae can be found feeding within the flowering stems of Petasites hybridus. This causes wilting at the top, which is very similar to the feeding signs of Hydraecia petasitis.