About Thera variata (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Thera variata, commonly called the spruce carpet, is a moth species in the Geometridae family first described in 1775 by Denis & Schiffermüller. This species is distributed across Europe, North Asia, and Japan. Note that the common name "spruce carpet" is also used for the species Thera britannica. The forewings of Thera variata measure 13 to 17 mm in length. The forewings are light ochreous-brown, sprinkled with dark fuscous, and feature an ochreous-brown basal patch with a wavy edge that forms a right angle above the middle. The median band is ochreous-brown or dark fuscous, marked in black along the veins, with dark fuscous edges that are sometimes bordered by white; its front edge is angled in the middle, and its back edge is wavy and right-angled above the middle. Thera variata has a black discal mark on the forewings, an obscurely whitish subterminal line, and a cloudy darker dash at the apex. The hindwings are pale fuscous with an ochreous tinge, and have a darker discal dot, and sometimes a curved postmedian line. The larva of this species is blue-green, with a darker dorsal line that has pale edges; the subdorsal line is yellowish-white and turns yellow toward the posterior; the subspiracular line is yellowish-white; the 13th segment bears two small points.
