Species Details

ABH: 70.128

BF: 1784

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Larentiinae

Taxon: Melanthia procellata

Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Vernacular: Pretty Chalk Carpet

Account: Common in woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens, on calcareous soils throughout southern England, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on Traveller's-joy, 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: 35 — 43 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 12 May (2001) — 14 Sep (2002)

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

Foodplant: Clematis vitalba (Traveller's-joy).

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

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP: BAP(R)

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 1 — Relatively easily identified 👌

Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/melanthia-procellata/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 199

Individuals: 77

Earliest Year: 1886

Latest Year: 2021

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