Blue-bordered Carpet
Scientific name: Plemyria rubiginata
June - August. Britain and Ireland. Frequents marshy places, damp woodland, hedgerows and scrub. A small white and blue-grey moth, darker in northern parts of the country. Usually found near alder or blackthorn.
The blue or blue-grey border on the outer edge of the forewing is what gives this species its name. The darker northern form of this moth usually has a complete band of brown across the grey forewings whereas the southern form has lighter forewings with distinct brown blotches.Flies in late afternoon, early evening and after dark.
Size and Family
- Family – Carpets and Allies (Larentiines)
- Small Sized
Conservation status
- UK BAP: Not listed
- Common
Particular Caterpillar Food Plants
Alder and Blackthorn but also found on birches, Hawthorn, Plum and Apple.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
- The lighter form occurs throughout the lowlands of England, Wales, Ireland and in the Channel Islands. The dark form is common in restricted areas of northern England, lowland areas of Scotland and the Inner Hebrides.
Habitat
Frequents habitats where foodplants occur, including areas surrounding streams, ponds and wet meadows, damp woodland, hedgerows, scrub, orchards and sometimes gardens.
