Geometridae : Larentiinae
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Photo © Ben Sale,  Grays Chalk Quarry, Essex (26/07/11)

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Similar Herts & Middlesex Species: None
 
Chalk Carpet
Scotopteryx bipunctaria

(Prout, 1937) 1731 / 70.043

General comments
Extremely local and declining resident.

British Chalk Carpets are all referable to subspecies cretata (Prout); the nominate subspecies bipunctaria is found on mainland Europe.

In a communication to P. J. Bell around 1965, Hodgson states '... about 10 years ago one could hardly move a step on Pitstone Hill in August without flushing this moth. I last saw it in 1956 although I have visited the locality every August'. Pitstone Hill is a boundary site on our border in Buckinghamshire, in the region that includes the Aldbury Nowers Nature Reserve. The loss of this formerly widespread (on the chalk) resident moth coincides neatly with the outbreak of myxomatosis amongst wild rabbit population, which allowed scrub to invade the chalk grasslands. Add into the equation the post-war cultivation of many unimproved grasslands and the indiscriminate use of pesticides in the 1950s and sixties and it is not hard to understand what has happened to the Chalk Carpet moth. Extensive habitat recreation would be required to bring this moth back.

Recorded in 11 (27%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1890.
Last Recorded in 2020.
Additional Stats

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List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
20/06/2020120TL13 - Hitchin (N)
29/07/2016120TL01 - Flamstead
28/08/2011120SP91 - Tring
23/08/2008120TL31 - Hertford
13/08/2008120TL31 - Hertford
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Chalk Carpet
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VC20 VC21 VC21 VC20
Click Map for Details
Forewing: 15-18mm.
Flight: One generation. July-Aug.
Foodplant:   Common Bird's-foot-trefoil
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
BAP Status: Priority Species
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Weeks]
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