70.083 BF1771a - Cypress Carpet - Geometridae - Thera cupressata

70.083 BF1771a - Geometridae - Larentiinae - Thera cupressata - Cypress Carpet - (Geyer, 1831)

Adult Macro: CAT 2 - Can be confused with other species -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant - Migrant

Taxonomy: Macro >> Geometridae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: Juniper Carpet

ID pointers: Identified from related species by a more streaky appearance with an incomplete central band. Grey-brown base colour with longitudinal streaks extending from the discal area to the apex of the forewing.

Distribution: (Last record: 01/07/2020 at Hilton ) - Last recorded June 2020 – No previous records. The first county record, of this resident (recent colonist) and suspected immigrant in Britain, was trapped by Paul Buxton in his Long Eaton garden on 26th June 2020. This specimen, was possibly an import from a nearby garden centre or plant nursery? A second record was from Peter Hendry, when he recorded one on 1st July 2020 from his Hilton garden. This moth remains a rare species in the county.

Flight Period: June / July / October / November / - On the wing late June – July and second generation October – November.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Wingspan: 26-29mm
Forewing: 12-15mm

Food Plant: Monterey cypress and Leyland cypress.

Last Recorded Date: 01/07/2020

Last Recorded By: Peter Hendry

Last Recorded General Area: Hilton

No First Date Information Recorded