Mallow Carpet
Common NameMallow Carpet
Scientific NameLarentia malvata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)26
Primary Colorsbrown, dark brown, white
HabitatDry, warm areas, waste ground, gardens, coastal areas, chalk downland, often where mallow grows.
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, Near East
Host PlantsMalva sylvestris, Malva, Althaea
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae feed on the leaves of mallow species. The species is often bivoltine, producing two generations per year, and overwinters in the pupal stage.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the mottled brown forewings with distinct dark wavy cross-lines and the prominent, often contrasting, white discal spots on each forewing.
Description
A small to medium-sized moth with mottled brown forewings, featuring darker wavy cross-lines and prominent white discal spots. The hindwings are typically paler.
