Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Hexapoda Order Lepidoptera Scientific name Mesotype didymata | Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Family Geometridae Rank Species | |
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Similar Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata, Xanthorhoe ferrugata, Xanthorhoe spadicearia, Dysstroma citrata, Perizoma | ||
The Twin-spot Carpet (Mesotype didymata) is a moth of the Geometridae family. Its genus is sometimes included in Perizoma.
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Distribution
It is found in Northern and Central Europe; further south and east it seems to be confined to the mountains Pyrenees, Alps, Urals.
Description
The wingspan is 24–29 mm.The ground colour of the forewings is generally pale or dark grey,There are two dark stains near the apex and the costa of the forewing.The wavy crosslines delimit a darker mid field and a darker marginal field Very variable in colour, male considerably darker than the female; in some districts the sexual dimorphism is quite striking. This sex is also appreciably smaller and narrower-winged than the male and has a much stouter abdomen. - ab. ochroleucata Auriv. Unicolorous grey-yellow or yellow-brown without markings except the light subterminal line. - ab. nigrofasciata Rbl. Ground-colour darkened, median band narrow, almost black. - ab. nigra Prout wings uniform blackish brown. hethlandica Rbl. male more or less bright orange brown, female lighter ochreous-brown or fawn-colour.
Biology
Adults are on wing from June to August. There is one generation per year.
The larva feed on various plants, including Vaccinium myrtillus, Salix and Calluna.