Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis)

Status: Common throughout the UK.

'To-meander-forth (?), Scissor-like'

(Evergestis = possibly from the Latin 'evergere' = to send out/to meander forth, forficalis = shear/scissor-like: Latin).

Normally, this species holds its wings in a tent-like posture (not shown in the photo below). This; and the sharp diagonal lines running from the wing-tips; are the inspiration for the species name forficalis (scissor-like).

Note: atypical posture - normally rests with wings tented.

Flight Period: Two broods - first from May to June, second brood from late July to September.

Foodplants: Plants of the Brassicaceae (cabbage) family.

Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica)

Status: Common throughout most of the UK - more localized & urban in Scotland.

'Hidden, Of-the-house'

(Cryphia = from kryphios, hidden: Greek, domestica = of the house: Latin).

There is much variation in the patterning of this little lichen mimic: ground colour is silver-grey with varying degrees of black/grey, dull orange or greenish marbling.

The larva feeds on lichens at night and hides in a silken retreat during the day.

Often confused with the Marbled Green (Cryphia muralis muralis), but can be distinguished by the following features:

*Marbled Beauty = BASAL CROSS-LINE (near head) is CONTINUOUS (from leading to trailing edge). More rounded tip to forewing & normally a pale grey ground colour.

*Marbled Green = BASAL CROSS-LINE is INCOMPLETE & curves downwards towards oval, forming a pale 'CLOVER-LEAF' shape. Sharper, more right-angled tip to forewing & ground colour distinctly greenish.

Note the continuous basal cross-line & rounded wing-tips.

Flight Period: July to August.

Foodplants: Lichens. Rock growing species such as Lecidia confluens are particularly favoured.

Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata)

Status: Common throughout the UK.

'Yellow-flow, Defined'

(Xantho = yellow + rhoe = flow: Latin, designata = defined/distinct/designated: Latin).

This easily recognised moth has a reddish-brown and black 'flamy' central cross-bar (with a double projection on the outer edge) upon a silvery-grey ground colour.

The only similar species is the Red Carpet (Xanthorhoe decoloraria decoloraria), which has one projection on the outer cross-band and a dark diagonal mark near the wing-tip.


Flight Period: Two generations in the south of UK (May to June & late July to August). In Scotland, one generation: June to July.

Foodplants: Unknown. In captivity, will eat Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) and other members of cabbage family.

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

Status: Common throughout the UK.

'A Caterpillar, Pearly'

(Campaea = a caterpillar: from the Greek kampe, margaritata = pearly: Latin).

In France, this moth is known as 'Le Céladon' (celadon is a type of ancient Chinese pottery with a pale jade-green glaze): a more fitting description of the colour than the English common name.

The colouration is most intense in freshly emerged specimens and fades to whitish within a few days.

Larvae are brown and twig-like, with hairy extensions fringing the ventral surface - this may help the larvae cling to branches - they rest with their ventral surfaces pressed tightly against tree branches (overwintering as larvae in exactly this way).

Close-up showing the shimmery, pearlescent scales on the wings.

Flight Period: Late May to early September.

Foodplants: A variety of broad-leaved trees & shrubs (including Pedunculate Oak & Hawthorn).

Celadon pottery - which gives this moth its common name in France.

(Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art - http://www.metmuseum.org)