70.050 Xanthorhoe biriviata (Balsam Carpet)
fw: 12-14mm; bivoltine Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep; orange balsam (Impatiens capensis); local in SC & SE England and E.Anglia
The foodplant is a non-native species and the moth was first recorded in GB in 1951
The foodplant is a non-native species and the moth was first recorded in GB in 1951
ID: The paler band distal to the dark central cross-band of the forewing is whiter in the first generation than in the second generation.
Characterised by the projection from the distal edge of the dark central cross-band; contrastingly brown forewing base; fairly smooth proximal margin to the dark central cross-band; and weakly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe alternata (Common Carpet) also shows a projection from the distal margin of the central cross-band, but is greyer overall without the contrastingly brown forewing base; it has a more irregular proximal margin to the central cross-band; and a more strongly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe rivata (Wood Carpet) is similar to the 1st generation, it has a pale band between the central cross-band and the basal area; the proximal margin to the central cross-band is more irregular; and it flies Jun-Aug. Euphyia unagulata (Sharp-angled Carpet) is also similar to the 1st generation; it has a grey band between the central cross-band and the brown basal area; the white band distal to the central cross-band is unmarked (lacking the fine grey-brown line shown by X.biriviata and E.alternata); and also flies Jun-Aug. X.quadrifasciata (Large Twin-spot Carpet) is larger (fw 14-16mm), has a more prominent elongate central forewing spot and a more irregular distal margin to the central cross-band.
Characterised by the projection from the distal edge of the dark central cross-band; contrastingly brown forewing base; fairly smooth proximal margin to the dark central cross-band; and weakly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe alternata (Common Carpet) also shows a projection from the distal margin of the central cross-band, but is greyer overall without the contrastingly brown forewing base; it has a more irregular proximal margin to the central cross-band; and a more strongly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe rivata (Wood Carpet) is similar to the 1st generation, it has a pale band between the central cross-band and the basal area; the proximal margin to the central cross-band is more irregular; and it flies Jun-Aug. Euphyia unagulata (Sharp-angled Carpet) is also similar to the 1st generation; it has a grey band between the central cross-band and the brown basal area; the white band distal to the central cross-band is unmarked (lacking the fine grey-brown line shown by X.biriviata and E.alternata); and also flies Jun-Aug. X.quadrifasciata (Large Twin-spot Carpet) is larger (fw 14-16mm), has a more prominent elongate central forewing spot and a more irregular distal margin to the central cross-band.
Dissection
Male genitalia
§1 Surlingham, Norfolk; 24/07/2009; male; fw 11.9mm
§2 Surlingham, Norfolk; 24/07/2009
§3 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 29/04/2011; male; fw 12.3mm
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 29/04/2011; male; fw 12.5mm
§5 Surlingham, Norfolk; 07/07/2018; male; fw 11.2mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Surlingham, Norfolk; 24/07/2009
§3 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 29/04/2011; male; fw 12.3mm
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 29/04/2011; male; fw 12.5mm
§5 Surlingham, Norfolk; 07/07/2018; male; fw 11.2mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 04/04/2013 (§1-4) | §5 added 14/05/2019