Devon Carpet
Lampropteryx otregiata
This record describes Lampropteryx otregiata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Damp and marshy areas where the larval foodplants occur. There are two generations, with adults on the wing in May and June, then again in August and September. The caterpillars are brown with paler buff markings, and feed on Marsh Bedstraw ( Galium palustre ) and possibly also Fen Bedstraw ( Galium uliginosum ). Formerly a relatively scarce species, found mainly in the south and south-west of England and south Wales. In recent years there has been a considerable range expansion from the south-west which has seen this moth reported in numbers from Lancashire, Cumbria, Suffolk and several midland counties. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Lampropteryx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Damp and marshy areas where the larval foodplants occur.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations, with adults on the wing in May and June, then again in August and September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillars are brown with paler buff markings, and feed on Marsh Bedstraw (
Additional species information
Recorded status
Formerly a relatively scarce species, found mainly in the south and south-west of England and south Wales. In recent years there has been a considerable range expansion from the south-west which has seen this moth reported in numbers from Lancashire, Cumbria, Suffolk and several midland counties. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lampropteryx otregiata. 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 Devon Carpet (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Devon Carpet
What is Devon Carpet?
Devon Carpet (Lampropteryx otregiata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Devon Carpet found?
Habitat: Damp and marshy areas where the larval foodplants occur.
When is Devon Carpet active?
Devon Carpet: seasonal activity - There are two generations, with adults on the wing in May and June, then again in August and September..
What is the life cycle of a Devon Carpet?
The caterpillars are brown with paler buff markings, and feed on Marsh Bedstraw (