Toothed Brown Carpet
Xanthorhoe lacustrata
The caterpillar is an 'inchworm' that perfectly mimics a tiny twig, holding itself rigid at an angle to deceive hungry birds.
- Scientific name
- Xanthorhoe lacustrata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Geometridae › Xanthorhoe
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, and moist gardens near fresh water.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on jewelweed (Impatiens) and willowherbs; adults sip flower nectar.
- Range
- North America, United States, Canada
- Size
- Wingspan of 27 to 33 mm
- Lifespan
- Approximately 1 year (adults live 1 to 2 weeks)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution, habitat fragmentation, and chemical pesticide use in suburban gardens.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely observe this moth at any distance. If it lands on you, let it rest or gently nudge it to fly away. No medical action is needed as they do not bite, sting, or secrete toxins.
Xanthorhoe lacustrata , the toothed brown carpet moth , is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in North America.
Photo: Nick Block, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/36080d76-5a6d-483b-ae4b-111893ac88db.md