Geometridae: Larentiinae

08256 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF1728 (ABH70.049)

Dobarsko, S Rila Mtns. 07-07-2022. Light trap.
Dobarsko, S Rila Mtns. 07-07-2022. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobarsko, S Rila Mtns. 07-07-2022. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019

General Information

This moth has a grey or light-grey ground colour (sometimes buff-coloured) with distinct dark grey patches on forewing. The thorax is dark and the abdomen is usually white. The central cross-band usually fades towards the trailing edge. The cross-band varies in thickness and sometimes is just a small blotch at the leading edge (f. costovata). A melanic form (f. thules) is sometimes so dark that the central band is indistinct from the ground colour.

 

Pupates in loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 13-16mm.
Foodplant(s): Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Wild Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), Yellow Alyssum (Alyssum alyssoides), White Alyssum (Lobalaria maritima), crucifers (Cruciferae), herbaceous plants
Flying: Two/three overlapping generations, April-October
UK Presence: Resident
National status:

Habitat

Gardens, allotments and rough ground in urban areas. Also woodland and open coastal areas.

Regional Information

There are no records in the system yet in Bulgaria.

Similar Species
Borovets, Rila Mtns., 14th July 2014. Light trap.
Borovets, Rila Mtns., 14th July 2014. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata
Twin-spot Carpet Mesotype didymata (=Perizoma)


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, brown, black, yellow
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2