Water Carpet Moth
Common NameWater Carpet Moth
Scientific NameLampropteryx suffumata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)27.5
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, cream, white
HabitatDamp woodlands, fens, marshes, riverbanks, wet heathland
Geographic RangeEurope, extending into parts of Asia (e.g., Siberia)
Host PlantsGalium palustre, Galium saxatile, Galium spp. (bedstraws)
Flight PeriodApril to June (sometimes a partial second brood in August)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on bedstraws from June to August, then pupate in the soil or leaf litter, overwintering as pupae.
Identification TipsLook for the striking contrast between the dark ground colour and the broad, wavy creamy-white central band on the forewings, which is highly characteristic.
Description
A medium-sized moth with dark brown to blackish forewings featuring a distinctive broad, creamy-white, wavy central band and a similar, narrower subterminal band.
