Pretty Chalk Carpet - Melanthia procellata
Wingspan 27-32 mm. This species has chalky wings with the dark brown central cross band stopping abruptly before the middle and a white blotch in the dark brown outer border.
It occupies hedgerows and scrubland, particularly in chalky localities, and feeds on Traveller's-joy.
There is just one generation, flying normally in July and August, but sometimes as early as June.
Larva feeds on Traveller's-joy, over-wintering as a pupa.
Fairly common in the Southern half of England and Wales. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded)
Adrian Russell
Ketton Quarry
01 July 2015
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Species profile
- Common names
- Pretty Chalk Carpet
- Species group:
- Moths
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Geometridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 1
- First record:
- 01/07/2015 (Russell, Adrian)
- Last record:
- 01/07/2015 (Russell, Adrian)
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% of records within its species group
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