
Galium Carpet
Similar to the Galium Carpet, but the central band across the wings is narrower with more distinct markings on the hindwings. The Wood Carpet is also similar and can be difficult to distinguish from the Common Carpet; the Wood Carpet is slightly larger with one thick white band across the forewing and hindwing, in the Common Carpet this band is divided by a black line. Also resembles the Sharp-angled Carpet, but with a more irregular central cross band with a less pointed outer projection.
The adults can often be disturbed from low vegetation during the day. They fly from dusk. The caterpillars can be found from June to July and September to October in the south or July to August in the north. The overwinter as pupae in a cocoon on the ground.
Cleavers and bedstraws, including Hedge Bedstraw (Galium mollugo) and Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum).
Frequents a wide variety of habitats, including calcareous grassland, acid heathland, moorland, fens and marshes, sand-dunes and urban habitats.
Common Carpet - Ilia Ustyantsev
Ilia Ustyantsev
Common Carpet - Ilia Ustyantsev
Ilia Ustyantsev
Common Carpet - Lez Round
Lez Round
Common Carpet - Lez Round
Lez Round
Common Carpet - Ben Sale
Ben Sale
Common Carpet - Garry Barlow
Garry Barlow
Common Carpet - gailhampshire (Flickr)
gailhampshire (Flickr)
Common Carpet - Koen Thonissen
Koen Thonissen
Common Carpet - Koen Thonissen
Koen Thonissen
Common Carpet - Dave Shenton
Dave Shenton
Common Carpet (underwing) - Ouwesok (Flickr)
Ouwesok (Flickr)