Euplagia quadripunctaria

Day flying moth, particularly present in tall grass and moist areas, mainly along riverbanks, lake and pond shores and by springs and marshes.   

Spread across southern and central Europe and in central Asia up to Iran and Turkmenistan,this species is considered as priority in Annexes II and IV of the DC 92/43/CEE and listed in Annex A of the Tuscan L.R. 56/2000 (Tuscan Regional Law 56/2000) and proteced in the Region Emilia Romagna in agreement with L.R. 15/2006 ( Regional Law 15/2006). 

Euplagia quadripunctaria

It has only one annual generation, between July and September. The larvae is polyphagous and feeds on various species of plants, such as Corylus avellana, Lamium sp., Urtica sp., Rubus sp., Cytisus sp. e Eupatorium cannabinum.

This species is reported in about 20 areas within the Park, currently it seems to be most widespread on the side of Region Emilia Romagna.

The main threat with regard to this species within the area consists of the progressive reduction of “megaforbieti” (Habitat 6430 - hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels) . The drastic decline of the traditional farming and agricultural activities has led to both an artificial and natural reforestation, which resulted in a reduction of these environments. Therefore, the project proposes to reduce shrub and trees in the buffer zone of habitat 6430, followed by implementation of new ponds powered by rainwater or by water recycling from springs, besides specific restoration of moist areas created by planting typical species (reproduced through action C3) of habitat 6430.