Description: Wingspan 24-27mm. Adults are usually pale grey often with very little red in the dark central band. Early May to mid-August.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed but local. Most of the recent records are from Garvary, Eshywulligan and Carrick Lough, Fermanagh. It was also taken recently from Rathlin Island, Antrim and the Mourne Mountains in Down. Despite being described by Baynes as common, this species seems to be rather scarce. Since it resembles the red-banded form of the Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet X. ferrugata some of the records may be misidentifications of this species.

Ecology: Recorded from a variety of habitats in N. Ireland particularly woodland and upland habitats.The larvae can be found from July to September on bedstraws Galium spp. and probably other low-growing herbaceous plants.

Key Identification Features:

• Dark central band white at marginal edge
• Inner band has no notch at costa
• Requires careful examination to confirm identification
• Closely resembles Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

Distribution Map from NBN: Xanthorhoe spadicearia at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Xanthorhoe spadicearia at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.