May to October. Britain and Ireland. A small to medium-sized moth with white and dark grey pattern. Occurs in hedgerows, woodland, marshes and gardens. Usually found near bedstraws, including cleavers.

Similar to the Galium Carpet, but the central band across the wings is narrower with more distinct markings on the hindwings.  The Wood Carpet is also similar and can be difficult to distinguish from the Common Carpet; the Wood Carpet is slightly larger with one thick white band across the forewing and hindwing, in the Common Carpet this band is divided by a black line.  Also resembles the Sharp-angled Carpet, but with a more irregular central cross band with a less pointed outer projection.

The adults can often be disturbed from low vegetation during the day. They fly from dusk. The caterpillars can be found from June to July and September to October in the south or July to August in the north. The overwinter as pupae in a cocoon on the ground.