Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata, (Müller, 1764))

Geometridae: Larentiinae

1738 (ABH70.061) Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata, (Müller, 1764)

Great Staughton, July 2011

Photo © Peter Bissell

Great Staughton, July 2011

Photo © Peter Bissell

pre-2000

2000-2009

2010-2019

2020-onwards

Photo © Barry Dickerson

Great Staughton, July 2011

Photo © Peter Bissell

Great Staughton, July 2011

Photo © Peter Bissell

Great Staughton, July 2011

Photo © Peter Bissell

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Hemingford Grey. 18th May 2020. Light trap.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Whitelye, Monmouthshire. 3rd June 2021. Light trap. Male.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey. 1st May 2005. Light trap.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

General Information
Pupates on the ground.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.
Often disturbed during day

Forewing length: 13-14mm.
Foodplant(s): cleavers (Galium aparine), Hedge Bedstraw (Galium mollugo), bedstraws (Galium spp.)
Flying: Two generations, May-June and July-early September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Hedgerows, woodland, grassland, heathland, fens, marshes, gardens and urban areas.

Regional Information

Recorded in 155 (57.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2024

Recorded date range (Adult): 16 April to 17 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 01 July to 01 July

Similar Species

11th July 2020.

Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata

Castor Hanglands, 14th June 2017.

Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata

Carmarthenshire

Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata

Freudenstadt, Germany, August 2013

Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata

Larva/Leafmine:

Larva Type:

Smooth

Colours:

Brown

No. of Proleg Pairs:

1738 (ABH70.061) Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata, (Müller, 1764)

KR08275