Dysstroma truncata (Hufnagel, 1767)

Description: Wingspan 32-39mm. Adults are quite variable with a number of colour forms and varieties. The majority of adults have darkish grey forewings with a darker median band but this is not always clearly defined. Some specimens are distinctively marked with a broad central, rust-coloured band.

Similar Species: Separated from the closely related Dark Marbled Carpet C. citrata, by the postmedian line on the hindwing which is not as sharply angled when viewed from beneath.

Key Identification Features:

• Main colour form dark grey, but often variable
• The dark central band not always clearly defined in some colour forms
• Postmedian line on the hindwing more rounded than the Dark Marbled Carpet

Sets:

Flight Period: From the end of April to late September.

Status: Common and widespread throughout all counties including Rathlin Island.

Ecology: A common species found in a wide variety of habitats including rural and urban gardens. Adults appear frequently at light in moderate numbers. The larvae feed on willow Salix spp., birch Betula spp., Bramble Rubus fruticosus, Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and probably other plants. It overwinters as a larva.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe and Asia to western China.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1764 Agassiz number: 70.097

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: