Chloroclysta siterata, the red-green carpet, is a moth in the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Johann Siegfried Hufnagel in 1767.

Red-green carpet
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Chloroclysta
Species:
C. siterata
Binomial name
Chloroclysta siterata
(Hufnagel, 1767)

Distribution

edit

Palearctic most of Europe to Asia Minor and the Caucasus.

Description

edit

The wingspan is 28–36 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is greyish green, with a reddish tinge. The central band is dark and may be replaced by dark wavy crosslines. The forewings have a pointed shape. This is a very variable species. The larva is very long and slender, the thorax slightly less thin, the anal points well developed. It is green, the thorax with a red dorsal line, abdomen with a red dorsal spot on each segment, the legs and anal points tipped with red. The pupa is slender, yellow-brown with a delicate purple bloom, dotted with black; cremaster darker.[1]

 
Figs. 6,6a,6b larvae in various stages

Similar species: Adults are similar in appearance to the autumn green carpet (Chloroclysta miata) but C. miata has a pale central band, grey hindwings and no red tinge.

Biology

edit

The larva feeds on Populus tremula, Salix caprea, Quercus robur, Quercus petraea, Quercus rubra, Chaenomeles japonica, Sorbus aucuparia, Rosa canina, Rosa vosagiaca, Prunus serrulata, Acer pseudoplatanus, Frangula alnus and Tilia (linden).

References

edit
  1. ^ Prout, L. B. (1912–16). Geometridae. In A. Seitz (ed.) The Macrolepidoptera of the World. The Palaearctic Geometridae, 4. 479 pp. Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart.pdf
edit
  • Kimber, Ian. "70.095 BF1760 Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata (Hufnagel, 1767)". UKMoths. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  • Lepidoptera of Belgium
  • Lepiforum e.V.
  • De Vlinderstichting (in Dutch)