Least Carpet (Idaea rusticata) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Aston, Oxon., on July 2nd 2023. (© David Hastings) (1/250th sec at f11) DescriptionFamily: Geometridae (ABH : 70.004) Wing span: 18 - 22mm A small moth that is distinctive due to the dark blackish-brown markings on a whitish forewing, which form a central band and extend broadly along the leading edge to the thorax. It is mainly found in SE England, the south Midlands and East Anglia. It has increased its range greatly since 1968. Typical habitats are gardens, verges, hedgerows, scrubby downland, and chalk embankments. There is mostly one generation from late June to late August, with a partial second generation in September and October. It over-winters as a larva. Larvae feed on Ivy, Traveller's-joy and probably other plants, eating withered and dead leaves. It flies at night, and comes to lighted windows and other light sources. Earliest UK sighting: 27th June ; Latest UK sighting: 15th August Sightings
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