Geometridae: Larentiinae

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

KR08275

Great Staughton, July 2011
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
Great Staughton, July 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, July 2011
Great Staughton, July 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, July 2011
Great Staughton, July 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey. 18th May 2020. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey. 18th May 2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Whitelye, Monmouthshire. 3rd June 2021. Light trap. Male.
Whitelye, Monmouthshire. 3rd June 2021. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey. 1st May 2005. Light trap.
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 152 (56.3%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2021

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

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

Similar Species
11th July 2020.
11th July 2020.
 Photo © Malcolm Hillier
Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata
Castor Hanglands, 14th June 2017.
Castor Hanglands, 14th June 2017.
 Photo © Malcolm Hillier
Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
 Photo © Martin Lovell
Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata
Freudenstadt, Germany, August 2013
Freudenstadt, Germany, August 2013
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Brown
No. of Proleg Pairs:
2