Photo © Mike Wall
Pretty Chalk Carpet
Melanthia procellata
Checklist Number70.128 [B&F: 1784]
Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)
Classification
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Subfamily: | Larentiinae |
| Genus: | Melanthia |
| Species: | procellata |
| Authority: | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) |
Common in woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens, on calcareous soils throughout southern England, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly frequent on the chalk, but absent from much of the New Forest and the far north of the county, and has shown a decline in recent years. Wingspan 35-43 mm. Fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on Traveller's-joy, over-wintering as a pupa.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
