Last modified: Sept. 20, 2023, 12:21 p.m.
An extremely rare species in the southern part of Belgium.
A very difficult species to distinguish from Diarsia rubi.
Native
Wingspan: c. 34 mm.
Diarsia florida differ from Diarsia rubi in their special size, lighter coloring (less contrasting and redder), different appearance times, behaviour at a light source and special habitat requirements.
The adults come to light and sugar. Both male and female adults flew very restlessly towards the light source and then quickly moved away from it again. Then they don't sit on the cloth, but instead look for a dark hiding place further away from the lamp.
The species flies in one generation for a month from the last third of June to the last third of July. In doing so, it occupies the time space that Diarsia rubi almost completely leaves out between its two generation periods.
The nocturnal larva lives mainly on Caltha palustris, but also on Taraxacum, Plantago, Rumex etc...
It inhabits always moist locations like fens, river basins, moorland and marshy places.
