Geometridae

70.263 Ringed Carpet Cleora cinctaria cinctaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Notable A

Cleora cinctaria bowesi Richardson, 1952

Notable A Scotland

Similar species: The dark basal cross-band, elongated ring in the central area and almost straight leading edge should be enough to separate this moth from similar species.

Forewing: 16 to 20mm

Habitats: Damp heathland and moorland.

Habits: The moth can occasionally be found on birch and pine trunks during the day and can be disturbed from sapling pines in open heathland. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds mainly on Bog Myrtle in Scotland. In southern Britain it is known to feed on Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Bilberry, Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Alder Buckthorn, Broom, Blackthorn, mallows, Wormwood, Small Scabious and Bird's-foot Trefoil.