Flame Carpet Moth vs Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flame Carpet Moth Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
Scientific Name Xanthorhoe designata Sthenopis argenteomaculatus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Hepialidae
Size 24-28 mm wingspan 60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Root Feeders
Regions Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Flame Carpet Moth

A small, attractive geometer moth with pinkish-brown and dark banding creating a flame-like pattern. Associated with cruciferous plants. Comes readily to moth traps.

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Did You Know?

The flame-like wing pattern gives this common moth its evocative English name.

Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.

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Did You Know?

Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.