Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Geometridae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Martania | |
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Similar Butterflies and moths, Thera cognata, Perizoma hydrata, Dysstroma infuscata, Perizoma blandiata | ||
The Barred Carpet (Martania taeniata) is a species of moth of the Geometridae family. It is found in large parts of the Palearctic ecozone.
Its wingspan is 19–28 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is ochreous.The forewings have a dark-coloured central band. Very variable in size, pattern and colouring. the large white or whitish spot in the middle of the distal margin distinguishes taeniata from its nearest allies.
There is one generation per year with adults on wing in July and August.
The larvae probably feed on various moss species in the wild, but have been reared on various plants, such as Taraxacum officinale, Stellaria media and Polygonum aviculare. The larvae can be found from August to June. The species overwinters in the larval stage.