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).

Garden Pebble Evergestis forficalis

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.

Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica)

Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica)

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.

Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata)
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 CĂ©ladon' (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).

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

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

Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)

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)