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Marsh Carpet
Gagitodes sagittata (Fabricius, 1787)
Geometridae: Larentiinae
1810 / 70.140
Photo © Ken Palmer,  (digitised by G. Follows)

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Similar Species: None
Forewing: 13-17mm.
Flight: One generation June-July.
Foodplant:   Common Meadow-rue. Lesser Meadow-rue. (Ripening seeds)
Red List: Near Threatened (NT)
GB Status: Nationally Rare
Former Status: Nationally Scarce A
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3
Status
Extremely Rare.
Wetland localities inc fens, marshes and wet meadows.
Established colony along the Norfolk and Suffolk border at Lakenheath Fen/Botany Bay, where it was rediscovered in 2002 (last recorded 1984) and is monitored annually by the SMG.

At one time thought to be extinct because of its absence from all sites from 1940 to mid 1950s after which it was reported from many of them from Nottinghamshire to the Broads. It remains unpredictable, it may have a run of years at one site and then vanish for as long. The moth is rarely seen and we depend for data upon its beautifully cryptically coloured larva on seedheads of Thalictrum (Meadow Rue) G. Haggett (NMS No.55, 1999)

Several old Norfolk records, and a few recent sightings of adults form Hockwold (close to the Suffolk colony at Lakenheath, ) and along certain rivers including the Wensum, the Norwich area along the Yare and the Little Ouse in the Brecks.

Larvae rediscovered from a site in West Norfolk in 2010, the first larval records for decades! (J Wheeler, 2010) but not seen at the site since 2011. Larvae also recorded at a site in VC27 in 2013, Norwich Yare valley and along the Little Ouse in SW Norfolk in recent years.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 20 (27%) of 74 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1762.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest 10 Records
Date#VC10kArea
11/08/2023728TL88Santon Downham / Grimes Graves
26/07/2023228TL78Brandon
26/07/2023328TL88Santon Downham / Grimes Graves
09/07/2023127TG11Costessey
08/07/2023227TG11Costessey
07/07/2023127TG11Costessey
06/07/2023127TG11Costessey
30/06/2023127TG11Costessey
30/06/2023127TG11Costessey
29/06/2023227TG11Costessey
Further info: Gagitodes sagittata
 
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