Spruce carpet | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Geometridae |
Genus: | Thera |
Species: | T. variata |
Binomial name | |
Thera variata (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) | |
Thera variata, the spruce carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout Europe, North Asia and Japan. The common name spruce carpet is also used when referring to Thera britannica .
The length of the forewings is 13–17 mm. The forewings are light ochreous-brown, sprinkled with dark fuscous with an ochreous-brown basal patch the edge waved, right-angled above middle. The median band is ochreous-brown or dark fuscous, black-marked on veins, edges dark fuscous, sometimes whitish-margined its anterior angulated in middle and its posterior waved, right-angled above middle. There is a black discal mark, a subterminal line obscurely whitish and a cloudy darker apical dash. The hindwings are pale fuscous, ochreous tinged with a darker discal dot and sometimes a curved postmedian line. The larva is blue-green; dorsal line darker, pale edged; subdorsal yellowish-white, posteriorly yellow; subspiracular yellowish-white; segment 13 with two points. [1]
Itself variable, Thera variata closely resembles some forms of Thera obeliscata . In case of doubt, specialists should be consulted for determination.
The moth flies in two generations from mid April to mid October .