Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Aston, Oxon., on May 11th 2022. (1/640th sec at f13. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Geometridae Wing span: 24 - 26mm This moth has a reddish or purplish-brown central crossband, but this can be very dark. There are usually twin spots near the outer edge in the leading half of the fore-wing. It is found in most of England, Wales and Scotland, but is very local in Ireland. It occupies a variety of habitats, including gardens, woodland, hedgerows, downland, fenland, moorland and coastal dunes. There are two generations in the south, mid-April to June, and late July to August. Further north there is one generation, May to July. It over-winters as a pupa. Larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants, particularly bedstraws, also Ground Ivy and Wild Carrot. Often found at rest on leaves during the day. It flies at dusk and comes to light. Sightings
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