Xanthorhoe decoloraria (Esper, [1806])

Description: Wingspan 30-34mm. Adults have generally pale greyish forewings with a dark central band that appears much darker towards the edge. The forewings become darker in colour towards the termen with a pale broken line.

Similar Species: This species is similar to the Flame Carpet, however the latter has an earlier flight period.

Key Identification Features:

• Dark central band
• Pale dotted line near outer edge of forewing
• Faint streak at apex of forewing
• May be confused with Flame Carpet, which has earlier flight period

Sets:

Flight Period: Skinner gives late June to mid-August. There is insufficient data to ascertain the flight period in N. Ireland.

Status: Widely distributed, but local and rare, recorded three times since 1990 - from Rathlin Island, Antrim in 2001, where a single adult was taken at light; Corbet Bog near Banbridge and Hillsborough Forest in Down. Formerly found at Favour Royal and Lough Fea, in Tyrone; also recorded from Tempo Manor, Fermanagh and Slieve Gallion, Londonderry. The lack of any recent records from some of its former haunts may suggest a decline, but a lack of recording in its preferred upland habitat seems more likely.

Ecology: A species mainly associated with upland habitats, although some of the more recent records are from lowland sites. Adults apparently often rest on rocks and old stone walls. Skinner states that the larvae can be found from July to September on lady's-mantle Alchemilla spp. but larvae have never been found in N. Ireland. It overwinters as a larva.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1723 Agassiz number: 70.048

Additional information:

UK Moths account