Photo © Julian Clarke

Fir Carpet

Thera vetustata

Checklist Number
70.080 [B&F: 1769a]

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:Thera
Species:vetustata
Authority:([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

One was taken in Climping Street, West Sussex on October 9th 2011. Its identification was confirmed by Martin Honey of the Natural History Museum and Jaan Viidalepp, and at the time was thought to be the first for Britain. However, another was retrospectively found to have been trapped in Bridport, Dorset on October 17th 2006. A further two were recorded in 2015 and 2016, both of which were found during the summer. All have been in coastal locations.
Found in scattered localities from Spain across to the Balkans, double brooded on Silver Fir, the adults flying between May and September.

(Last update: July 2024)