Species Details

ABH: 70.113

BF: 1877

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Larentiinae

Taxon: Hydrelia sylvata

Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Vernacular: Waved Carpet

Account: Nationally scarce (Nb) in woodland, scrubby heathland and on sea cliffs in southern England and Wales. Has decreased in numbers considerably since coppicing went out of favour, but does appear to be expanding its range in Sussex Welsh Wave Venusia cambrica is superficially similar, but Welsh Wave has a more clearly demarcated pale central band which is bordered by thin black fascia. Larva feeds on Sweet Chestnut, Alder, Downy Birch, Silver Birch and Sallow, over-wintering as a pupa.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 27 — 30 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 11 Jun (1956) — 14 Aug (1984)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant: Alnus glutinosa (Alder), Betula sp. (a birch), Castanea sp., Salix sp. (a sallow).

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP: BAP

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 2 — Care needed to identify 🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/hydrelia-sylvata/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 48

Individuals: 67

Earliest Year: 1926

Latest Year: 2006

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