Geometridae

70.060 Small Argent and Sable Epirrhoe tristata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: The small size, dark dots in the outer bands of all four wings and the very bright chequered fringe should separate this moth from Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata and similar species.

Forewing: 11 to 13mm

Habitats: Mountain moorland, upland woodland and hedgerows, upland limestone grassland, lowland heaths, moors and mosses.

Habits: The moth flies in sunshine and at dusk.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Heath Bedstraw. In captivity it will take other bedstraws. It pupates in the leaf litter.

On the European mainland it feeds on Hedge Bedstraw.