Garden Carpet
Scientific name: Xanthorhoe fluctuata
April - October. Britain and Ireland. Small to medium-sized, grey-white, with a distinct dark patch on the forewing. Found particularly in gardens, allotments and on rough ground.
This moth can resemble the Galium Carpet, which has more pointed forewings and more distinct white areas between darker forewing bands. 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.
Can be found at rest on walls and fences during the day and is readily disturbed. Flies from dusk.
Size and Family
- Family – Carpets and Allies (Larentiines)
- Small / Medium Sized
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Particular Caterpillar Food Plants
Garlic Mustard, Shepherd’s-purse, wild Horse-radish, Hairy Bitter-cress, Yellow and White Alyssum and cultivated cabbages.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
- Well distributed and common throughout the British Isles, including the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.
Habitat
Found in many habitats including woodland and coastal areas, but favours gardens and allotments where foodplants abound.
