Silver-ground Carpet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Silver-ground Carpet
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Geometridae Genus: Xanthorhoe Species: X. montanata
Binomial name
Xanthorhoe montanata Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775

The Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is common throughout the Palearctic region, the Near East and North Africa.

The wingspan is 29-33 mm although some northern races may be smaller. The forewings are white with a broad shaded band which varies from pale grey to almost black. The hindwings are also white with pale fascia and a small black discal spot. The species flies from May to July ^[1], usually at dusk. It will come to light but is not strongly attracted.

The larva is grey with a purplish-brown back. It has been recorded feeding on bedstraw, Corydalis, globeflower, hemlock and primrose and probably feeds on other low-growing plants. The species overwinters as a larva.

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

[edit] Subspecies

• X. m. iberica
• X. m. lapponica
• X. m. montanata
• X. m. shetlandica

[edit] External links

• Silver-ground Carpet at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera pages

[edit] References

Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)

Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984