Ligdia adustata

Ligdia adustata
Adult of Ligdia adustata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Tribe: Abraxini
Genus: Ligdia
Species: L. adustata
Binomial name
Ligdia adustata
(Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Geometra adustata Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775

Ligdia adustata, the scorched carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae.

Etymology

The species Latin name adusta, meaning burnt, refers to the scorched appearance of the wings of these moths. [1]

Description

The wingspan is 25–30 mm. [2] The basic color of the wings is glossy white, creamy white or light brownish. The basal area of the forewings is dark brown and can sometimes be slightly blue-grey. Across the forewings near the outer margin there is a blue-grey and brown wavy band. Hindwings are whitish with wavy pale brown lines on the slightly wavy outer edges. The underside of the wings is suffused with reddish brown. [2][3]

Larvae are moderately stout, bright green with red dorsal spots, a red lateral blotch on the 1st—2nd abdominals and red marks on claspers; a rare variety is grey-brown. The pupae are red-brown with blackish wings.

Ligdia adustata has two generations per year (bivoltine species). The adults fly in April-May, and later in July-August, but the flight season varies greatly, depending on the location within the distribution range. [1][2][3] These moths are active from dusk onwards. [4]

The larvae feed on spindle (Euonymus europaeus, Euonymus verrucosa and on Berberis species. [1][2] The species overwinters as a pupa.[3]

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe and in the Near East. [2][5]

Habitat

This moth is common in various environments, mainly in shrubs, deciduous forests, thickets, parks and gardens.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Scorched Carpet on UKmoths
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 European Butterflies and Moths by Christopher Jonko
  3. 1 2 3 Vlindernet (Dutch)
  4. ↑ Lepidoptera of Belgium
  5. ↑ Fauna europaea
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