Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Grey Pine Carpet. Definitive identification not always possible on external features.

Recording method

Can be disturbed by day from conifers. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

Two overlapping generations. Overwinters as a small larva. Larvae autumn to May and again June and July. Pupates on tor below ground.

Larval foodplants

Many coniferous trees, mainly Norway Spruce and Sitka Spruce but many other conifers.

Habitat

Coniferous plantations, but also most other habitats where the conifer foodplants are found.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway for VC72 in 1862 near Dumfries by Lennon who thought it was ‘not common’, first for VC73 was in 1874 from the Castle Douglas by Robinson-Douglas and for VC74 in 1897 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who found it ‘common in fir woods’.

Spruce Carpet Thera britannica was only first described as a species in 1926 with moths before that date referred to as Thera variata (and other synonyms), a name that is now reserved for a very similar European species not found in the UK.  Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata is also very closely related and because of the difficulties in correctly identifying these very similar moths all early records must be questionable.