Geometridae

70.048 Red Carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria decoloraria (Esper, [1806])

Common

Xanthorhoe decoloraria hethlandica (Prout, 1901)

Shetland

Similar species: Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia has a white edging to the red bar across the forewing. It also has a much darker pair of twin spots in the outer area of the forewing. Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata has two less rounded projections on the outer edge of the bar and lacks the streak in the apex of the wing.

Forewing: 12 to 14mm

Habitats: Mountain moorland and rocky grass slopes. On Orkney and Shetland coastal sand dunes and road verges.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed from rocks during the day. It flies over the foodplants from dusk onwards and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Alpine Lady's Mantle and other lady's mantles. In captivity it will take Groundsel, chickweeds and bedstraws.