70.072 (BF1744)

Grey Mountain Carpet   

Entephria caesiata
Macro
Geometridae
Adult: 2
Resident, common, local. UK BAP Priority Species. A mountain and moorland species common in upland areas of northern England and north Wales. Widespread in upland Scotland. Decreased in distribution from lower upland areas since 1970.

Identification

Care is needed to separate Grey Mountain Carpet from Yellow-ringed Carpet but the cross-band across the forewing is prominent and edged with white.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a small larva, during August to May, with pupation taking place low down on the foodplant.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on heathers and Blaeberry.

Habitat

Mountains and moorland with exposed rocks where it likes to rest.

History

First recorded from Dumfries and Galloway from VC72 in 1862 near Dalscone by Lennon who stated it was ‘not common’, for VC73 in 1870 by White and for VC74 in 1905 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who stated it to be ‘scarce on rocks on the moors, probably more numerous on the moors bordering Ayrshire’.

46 record(s) from 20 hectad(s) in D&G

VC74 VC73 VC72
Last recorded 1976 2021 2014

 UK Moths website - further information on species (with photos)

 East Scotland Butterfly Conservation website - national distribution maps and phenology

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