Epirrhoe galiata, the galium carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae.
The wingspan of Epirrhoe galiata can reach about 28–32 mm. The forewing ground colour is pale grey, with a broad, darker bluish-grey central band. The forewings have also small dark grey or bluish-grey stains near the apex. The hindwings are pale whitish-grey and marked with fine crosslines.[1][2] The larva is naked except for a few short bristles, brown with dark and light longitudinal stripes.
There are two generations per year with adults on wing from May to September.[1]
The larvae feed on Galium species, including Galium verum and Galium boreale. Larvae can be found from June/July to September/October. Larva overwinters as a pupa.[1]
This species can be found from North Africa and western Europe to the Russian Far East.[3]
These moths prefer lime and chalk downland, sunny woodland fringes, dry meadows, grassy heathlands, glades, forest clearings, moorlands, sea-cliffs and xerophilous hillsides.
Epirrhoe galiata, the galium carpet, is a moth of the family Geometridae.
Epirrhoe galiata. Mounted specimen