This subspecies is locally monophagous, or particular to one species of food plant. The larvae are vibrantly coloured and are monophagous as other silk moths. In the Netherlands populations of "L. dispar" appear to be more monophagous on "R. hydrolapathum". Monophagous species, like the cinnabar moth ("Tyria jacobaeae") are scarce. Many aphid species are monophagous (that is, they feed on only one plant species). "Calliteara pudibunda" is a monophagous pest of European beech forests ("Fagus sylvatica"). This monophagous beetle feeds entirely on the leaves of the anacua ("Ehretia anacua"). A small number of insects are monophagous, feeding on a single plant. Some "Bruchus" species are monophagous, living on just one host plant species.