Lampropteryx suffumata

Lampropteryx suffumata, the water carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae.^[2] It is found from Europe to the Altai Mountains, Khabarovsk Krai and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia, and Hokkaido, Japan.^[3][4] In 2000, the species was discovered in Alaska, United States, and then in 2008 DNA-barcoding analysis of museum specimens identified several Canadian specimens,^[5] thereby extending the geographical range from Ireland in the west, across Eurasia, to the west of North America. The habitat consists of damp woodland, grassy areas, chalk downland and scrubland.

Water carpet
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Lampropteryx
Species:	L. suffumata
Binomial name
Lampropteryx suffumata (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)[1]
Synonyms
Geometra suffumata Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775 Cidaria arctica Sparre-Schneider, 1895

Description

The wingspan is 25–32 mm.^[2] The ground colour is brownish. Between the wingbase and the midfield, as well as between the central and margin field is a whitish lateral band. The dark midfield is serrated on both sides. The outer cross-line limiting the midfield and shows a clearly protruding double wave. The margin field is heavily obscured below the apex. The hind wings are pale grey and have a strongly curved dark cross line. Adult caterpillars have a brown basic coloration. On the dorsum, there is reddish-brown to black-brown angled spots. The rear segments are lighter brown.^{[6] [7][8]}

In northern Europe, adults are in the wing from March to June in one generation.

Figs.4, 4a, 4b larvae after final moult

The larvae feed on Galium species and can be found in May and June. It overwinters in the pupal stage.

Subspecies

• Lampropteryx suffumata suffumata
• Lampropteryx suffumata arctica Sparre-Schneider, 1895

Similar species

• Lampropteryx otregiata