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
Xanthorhoe biriviata (Balsam Carpet) §1 male
ID: The paler band distal to the dark median fascia of the forewing is whiter in the first generation than in the second generation.
Characterised by the projection from the distal edge of the median fascia; contrastingly brown forewing base; fairly smooth proximal margin to the median fascia; and weakly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe alternata (Common Carpet) also shows a projection from the distal margin of the median fascia, but is greyer overall without the contrastingly brown forewing base; it has a more irregular proximal margin to the median fascia; and a more strongly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe rivata (Wood Carpet) is similar to the 1st generation, it has a pale band between median fascia and the basal area; the proximal margin to the median fascia 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 median fascai and the brown basal area; the white band distal to the median fascai 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 median fascia.
Characterised by the projection from the distal edge of the median fascia; contrastingly brown forewing base; fairly smooth proximal margin to the median fascia; and weakly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe alternata (Common Carpet) also shows a projection from the distal margin of the median fascia, but is greyer overall without the contrastingly brown forewing base; it has a more irregular proximal margin to the median fascia; and a more strongly banded hindwing. Epirrhoe rivata (Wood Carpet) is similar to the 1st generation, it has a pale band between median fascia and the basal area; the proximal margin to the median fascia 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 median fascai and the brown basal area; the white band distal to the median fascai 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 median fascia.
§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
§6 Franchises Lodge RSPB, Wiltshire; 25/06/2025; male; fw 11.2mm
§7 Franchises Lodge RSPB, Wiltshire; 26/06/2025; male; fw 12.2mm
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
§6 Franchises Lodge RSPB, Wiltshire; 25/06/2025; male; fw 11.2mm
§7 Franchises Lodge RSPB, Wiltshire; 26/06/2025; male; fw 12.2mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 04/04/2013 (§1-4) | §5 added 14/05/2019 | §6&7 added 23/09/2025
