Grey Mountain Carpet
Scientific name: Entephria caesiata
June - August. Wales, Scotland, Ireland and northern England. Medium-sized dark-grey banded moth of mountains and moorlands, usually around exposed rocks. Generally found near heathers or bilberry.
This moth varies in colour from light to dark grey, but the darker central band bordered by white is distinctive. It is similar to the Yellow-ringed Carpet but without the golden-orange scales along the central band of the forewing. The Striped Twin-spot Carpet bears some resemblance, but is smaller in size and markings are not as bold. Rests during the day on rocks, walls and tree trunks from which it is easily disturbed. Flies from dusk and into the night.
Size and Family
- Family – Carpets and Allies (Larentiines)
- Medium Sized
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Priority Species (Research only)
- Common
Particular Caterpillar Food Plants
Heathers and Bilberry
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
- Well distributed and common in upland areas of mid- and north Wales, northern England and Scotland, also occurring on the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. More restricted in distribution in south Wales and the south-west Midlands. Also found on the Isle of Man. Widespread, but with scattered records in Ireland.
Habitat
Found on mountains and moorland, usually amongst exposed rocky situations, such as along gullies and ravines.
