CHALK CARPET

ADULT: Wingspan 32-38mm.  A dull grey looking moth identified by its pointed forewings, wide brownish-grey scalloped cross-line that contains two small central dots on each wing. A slight variation in the density of all colours can be had. LARVA: Feeds on Bird's-Foot Trefoil and other trefoils, clovers and vetches. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light and easily disturbed by day. HABITAT: Calcareous grassland, cliffs, embankments and quarries. Likes to bask on bare ground or exposed rock. FLIGHT PERIOD: July to September. STATUS: Common on appropriate downland in Southern England, becoming rarer further North.