Photo © Mike Wall

Red Twin-spot Carpet

Xanthorhoe spadicearia

Checklist Number
70.051 [B&F: 1724]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Geometridae
Subfamily:Larentiinae
Genus:Xanthorhoe
Species:spadicearia
Authority:([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Common in gardens, woodland, hedgerows, downs, fens, moors and sand-dunes throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 24-27 mm. The oft quoted field mark used to distinguish this species from red forms of Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet X. ferrugata, the notch on the inner edge of the cross-band, close to the costa, has proven to be unreliable, and only moths with black cross-bands can be assigned to this species without dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on Bedstraw, Ground-ivy and Dock, over-wintering as a pupa.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)