Photo © Andy Mitchell

Balsam Carpet

Xanthorhoe biriviata

Checklist Number
70.050 [B&F: 1721]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Geometridae
Subfamily:Larentiinae
Genus:Xanthorhoe
Species:biriviata
Authority:(Borkhausen, 1794)

Uncommon, in damp grassland, water meadows, marshes, river-banks and damp areas in parts of southern England and south-eastern England. In Hampshire first reported at Wherwell in 1964, and now established in the upper valley of the River Test in damp woodland containing the larval foodplant, and also beginning to appear in the Itchen Valley. The only report from the Isle of Wight was back in 1999. Wingspan 27-30 mm. Occurs in two forms, a pale spring generation and a darker summer generation, the former most recalls Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata and Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata. Larva feeds on Orange Balsam, over-wintering as a pupa.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)