Species Account

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Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Uncommon and fairly widespread resident.

Local Record: Grade 1   See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation Apr-May.

Forewing: 14-17mm.

Foodplant: Lady's Bedstraw, other bedstraws.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded19291883184718831883
Year last recorded20142014201420152014
Number of records59743118663662
Number of individuals757773263148174
Unique positions871119110421
Unique locations871109210720
Adult records58840116761857
Immature records10100

For the county, we have a total of 1912 records from 416 sites. First recorded in 1847.
 

Photos

70.103 Water Carpet 03
© Damian Money
70.103 Water Carpet 02
© Charles Fletcher, 21 May 2001
70.103 Water Carpet 01
© Charles Fletcher, 21 Apr 2006

Species Account

Similar species: Devon Carpet.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Appears to have become more frequent around 1978 and is now quite widespread in all five vice-counties. It may often be seen at dusk but is relatively infrequent at MV light, although most records are from this source.

2012 (CHF): Numbers increased in 2012 after a reduction in the previous few years. Two examples of the beautiful black and white form (ab. porrittii) were netted in the south of VC63 in 2011.
 

See background to species accounts.  Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species