Garden Carpet Moth

Garden carpet moth xanthorhoe fluctuata.

Garden carpet moth.

Recorded in 66 96 of 69 10k squares. A common species throughout the british isles this moth shows a preference for suburban habitats but can be found almost anywhere. It was first described by carl linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of systema naturae. Darker forms of the moth found in the northern isles northern scotland and urban parts of london resemble the striped twin spot carpet but the dark band on the forewings is darker on the leading half in the garden carpet.

Small mark on costa near apex. In terms of shelter delay cutting back old plants in autumn and leave some piles of fallen leaves. The garden carpet xanthorhoe fluctuata is a moth of the family geometridae. Water carpet lampropteryx suffumata moth id.

Xanthorhoe fluctuata garden carpet 4 male id. The hind wings are smaller in comparison and lighter coloured. Garden carpet xanthorhoe fluctuata linnaeus 1758 wingspan 18 25 mm. The garden carpet is a common moth over most of europe north africa and asia through to the far east.

Garden carpet moth the presence and intensity of the middle bar varies from almost no bar left above below to a slight medium bar centre above below to a full bar right above below. The adults can be found at rest on walls and fences during the day and is readily disturbed. Garden moths love a combination of safe places to shelter and a decent buffet so creating a moth friendly garden is all about planting a mixture of caterpillar foodplants nectar rich plants and shrubs or trees. Last recorded in 2020.

British insect in the family geometridae the geometer moths id. It is an abundant and familiar species across its huge range which covers the whole palearctic region from ireland to japan and including the near east and north africa. With a body about 5mm long and a wingspan of about 14 18mm. Carpet moths are buff coloured with forewings that usually have three distinct dots.

Central cross band well marked in costal half but poorly marked in dorsal half. Egb3yy rm dotted carpet alcis jubata adult moth resting on the bark of a tree. First recorded in 1924. G16xt3 rf garden carpet xanthorhoe fluctuata adult moth resting on tree bark.

A preference for suburban habitats but can be found almost anywhere.