Beautiful Carpet
Mesoleuca albicillata
This record describes Mesoleuca albicillata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 34-38 mm. It has very broad and rounded white or creamy white forewing, with a broad white central cross band. The wing has a dark basal area and blotch near the tip consisting of brown and purplish blue. The adults fly during June and July and are occasionally attracted to light. The larva is green marked with orange-brown chevrons and feeds on Bramble, Raspberry and Wild Strawberry. This attractive species can be found throughout mainland Britain northwards to southern Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Mesoleuca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mainly a species of woodland habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly during June and July and are occasionally attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva is green marked with orange-brown chevrons and feeds on Bramble, Raspberry and Wild Strawberry.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This attractive species can be found throughout mainland Britain northwards to southern Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mesoleuca albicillata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Beautiful Carpet (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Beautiful Carpet
What is Beautiful Carpet?
Beautiful Carpet (Mesoleuca albicillata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Beautiful Carpet found?
Habitat: Mainly a species of woodland habitats.
When is Beautiful Carpet active?
Beautiful Carpet: seasonal activity - The adults fly during June and July and are occasionally attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Beautiful Carpet?
The larva is green marked with orange-brown chevrons and feeds on Bramble, Raspberry and Wild Strawberry.