Chloroclysta miata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 34-40mm. Forewings are dark and intricately patterned with a paler central band and basal area. The sub marginal line is distinctly white. The hind wings are pale grey with a dark discal spot.

Similar Species: Adults are similar in appearance to the Red-green Carpet .C. siterata and specimens require careful examination where both species coexist. The forewings of Autumn Green Carpet lack the reddish tinge often present in the Red-green Carpet and are more rounded making the moth appear larger when at rest. The hindwings of the Autumn Green Carpet are paler than in Red-green Carpet.

Key Identification Features:

• Greener and paler in appearance compared to the Red Green Carpet
• White sub marginal line on forewings
• Pale greyish white hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: From late September to the end of October and, after hibernation, in early spring.

Status: A much misidentified species. Examination of vouchers collected in 1970s has shown that these were misidentified Red-green Carpets C. siterata. Records from some sites e.g. Brackagh Moss NNR from the early 1990s are also questionable, since adults have not been found subsequently despite intensive trapping. There are old records from Londonderry, Antrim and Fermanagh. The majority of reliable records during the 1990s were from sites in Down including Rostrevor Oakwood NNR, Murlough NNR and Castlewellan Forest Park.

Ecology: An autumnal species associated mainly with mature woodlands and occasionally bogs. The moth is less often seen than the Red-Green Carpet, which generally appears a few weeks earlier. The females hibernate during the winter months and reappear in early spring. Adults come to light sparingly but also visit Ivy Hedera helix blossom. The larvae feed on birch Betula spp., willow Salix spp. and Rowan Sorbus aucuparia.

World Distribution: Throughout most of Europe to central Asia.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1761 Agassiz number: 70.096

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: