Geometridae: Larentiinae

08248 Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata, (Borkhausen, 1794)

BF1721 (ABH70.050)

 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019

General Information

This species is distinguished from most other carpets by its outer edge of dull black and the dark grey central cross-band on the forewing, which has a pronounced, quite pointed, tooth-like projection, and is generally less irregular.

 

The spring generation is quite pale, with a whitish cross-band beyond the central one. It is tinged with brown and with noticeably brown banding near the base of the forewing. The summer generation is generally darker, without the white band.

 

Pupates in moss or leaf litter.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.
Flies during the day

Forewing length: 12-14mm.
Foodplant(s): Orange Balsam (Impatiens capensis), Small Balsam (Impatiens parviflora)
Flying: Two generations, late April-June and July-early September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Unknown

Habitat

Lightly wooded water meadows and other damp pasture, and tow-paths bordering rivers and canals alongside which Orange Balsam often grows.

Regional Information

There are no records in the system yet in Bulgaria.

Similar Species
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria, 12th May 2015.
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria, 12th May 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata

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