4-8-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GALIUM CARPET MOTH (Epirrhoe galiata)

The Galium Carpet (Epirrhoe galiata) is a small geometer moth with a 28-32 mm wingspan, recognized by distinct white, grey, and dark brown bands on its forewings. Primarily found on coastal cliffs, sand dunes, and chalk downland, it flies from June to August and feeds on bedstraw (Galium) plants.

Key Facts about the Galium Carpet Moth:

Appearance: This species features a broad, dark, central band on its forewings, bordered by white, with further darker bands near the base and apex. It is often distinguished from similar carpet moths by its more pointed wings.

Habitat and Distribution: It prefers calcareous and coastal habitats, including lime and chalk downland, sea cliffs, and sand dunes. It is well-distributed throughout England and Wales, but scarcer in Scotland and Ireland.

Lifecycle and Behaviour: The species is usually single-brooded in the north (flying June-August), but can be double-brooded in the south. Adults are nocturnal, active from dusk, and are easily disturbed from low-lying vegetation during the day.

24-9-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GALIUM CARPET MOTH (Epirrhoe galiata)

Epirrhoe galiata, the galium carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae.

Epirrhoe galiata. Mounted specimen

Subspecies

Epirrhoe galiata galiata

Epirrhoe galiata orientata (Staudinger, 1901)

Epirrhoe galiata eophanata (Krulikowski, 1906)

The wingspan of Epirrhoe galiata can reach about 28–32 mm. The forewing ground colour is pale grey, with a broad, darker bluish-grey central band. The forewings have also small dark grey or bluish-grey stains near the apex. The hindwings are pale whitish-grey and marked with fine crosslines. The larva is naked except for a few short bristles, brown with dark and light longitudinal stripes.

There are two generations per year with adults on wing from May to September.

The larvae feed on Galium species, including Galium verum and Galium boreale. Larvae can be found from June/July to September/October. Larva overwinters as a pupa.

This species can be found from North Africa and western Europe to the Russian Far East.

These moths prefer lime and chalk downland, sunny woodland fringes, dry meadows, grassy heathlands, glades, forest clearings, moorlands, sea-cliffs and xerophilous hillsides.