Epirrhoe galiata
Epirrhoe galiata. Dorsal view
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Epirrhoe
Species:
E. galiata
Binomial name
Epirrhoe galiata
Synonyms
  • Geometra galiata Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
  • Larentia eophanata Krulikovski, 1906

Epirrhoe galiata, the galium carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae.

Epirrhoe galiata. Mounted specimen

Subspecies

Description

The wingspan of Epirrhoe galiata can reach about 28–32 mm. The forewing ground colour is pale grey, with a broad, darker bluish-grey central band. The forewings have also small dark grey or bluish-grey stains near the apex. The hindwings are pale whitish-grey and marked with fine crosslines.[1][2] The larva is naked except for a few short bristles, brown with dark and light longitudinal stripes.

Figs 11, 11a, 11b larvae after final moult

Biology

There are two generations per year with adults on wing from May to September.[1]

The larvae feed on Galium species, including Galium verum and Galium boreale. Larvae can be found from June/July to September/October. Larva overwinters as a pupa.[1]

Distribution

This species can be found from North Africa and western Europe to the Russian Far East.[3]

Habitat

These moths prefer lime and chalk downland, sunny woodland fringes, dry meadows, grassy heathlands, glades, forest clearings, moorlands, sea-cliffs and xerophilous hillsides.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lepidoptera of Belgium". Archived from the original on 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2015-10-18.
  2. ^ Peder Skou The Geometroid Moths of North Europe (Lepidoptera: Drepanidae and Geometridae)
  3. ^ Fauna Europaea