Double-banded Carpet Moth
Common NameDouble-banded Carpet Moth
Scientific NameColostygia didymata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, black, white
HabitatMoorland, heathland, woodlands, gardens, damp areas
Geographic RangeEurope, including British Isles, parts of Asia
Host PlantsGalium, Erica, Vaccinium myrtillus
Flight PeriodJune to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesOverwinters as an egg. Larvae hatch in spring, feeding on low-growing plants, then pupate in the soil, with adults emerging in summer.
Identification TipsKey features include the distinctive double dark bands on the forewings against a pale grey background, and its relatively small size with a cryptic, mottled pattern.
Description
A small to medium-sized moth with a mottled grey and black pattern, featuring prominent dark, often double, transverse bands across the forewings, providing excellent camouflage.
