Geometridae: Larentiinae

1725 (ABH70.052) Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata, (Clerck, 1759)

KR08253

 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

The most frequent form of this species, f. unidentaria, has a blackish-grey central cross-band. The other form has a reddish-brown band and can be very similar to the Red Twin-spot Carpet. See the Red Twin-spot Carpet for details of the differences.

 

Pupates in plant debris.

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

Forewing length: 12-13mm.
Foodplant(s): bedstraws (Galium spp.), Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), docks (Rumex spp.), herbaceous plants
Flying: Two generations, May-June and late July-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Gardens, woodland, hedgerows, fens, moorland and coastal sand-dunes.

Regional Information

Recorded in 37 (13.7%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 16 April to 12 September

Similar Species
11th July 2020.
11th July 2020.
 Photo © Malcolm Hillier
Balsam Carpet Xanthorhoe biriviata
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata


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