70.151 : 1817 : 8484
Geometridae : Larentiinae

Foxglove Pug

EUPITHECIA pulchellata Stephens, 1831
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Life Cycle Guide
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Description
Wingspan: 18-22mm
Worldwide Distribution: Western Europe
UK Distribution: Widespread and frequent throughout the British Isles : Channel Isles-widespread and occasional
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Only in western Europe
Original Species Name -
  • Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831
Type Species - Eupithecia
  • [Phalaena] absinthiata Clerck, 1759
Type Locality -
  • Not Specified
Flight Period: South-mid April to early September-possble second generation in August : Elsewhere-May to June,July with possibly second generation in August
Habitat: Woodland : Waste ground : Moorland : Calcareous grassland
Similar Species -
  • Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Larva: Viewed from side-the final instar larva is greyish with a pinkish lateral line above the spriacles. Viewed on top-a wide central lateral band in deep pinkish colour with another thin pinkish lateral line each side.
Larvae feed within flowers of the larval food plant.firstly by burrowing into a flower bud before moving to another bud when the flower dies.
Pupa: Pupates in loose earth
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: This moth is very similar to the Toadflax Pug EUPITHECIA linariata but the diognostic feature that seperates them is the median band distal(outside) line that kinks just before it reaches the costa whereas in the similar species it is a gently curve.

The moth can be disturbed during the day and is a regular visitor to the light trap.
Subspecies
E. p. pulchellata Stephens, 1831-Nominate subspecies
Comparison Foxglove/Toadflax Pug
Larva
Where to find them?
The Foxglove below has missing "Bells" up to two thrids of the main stem but about a foot off the ground  can be seen what looks like a withered "Bell" that is likely to drop any moment. - opposite. The chances are within this withering bell is a larva feeding on the stigma or unripened seeds.
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Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831 - Look for withered flower head
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Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831 - withered flower head
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website where further information like photos,physical characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
  • Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
Larval Food Plant Slideshow
Taxonomy
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Type Species - EUPITHECIA:

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Subspecies:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Eupitheciini
EUPITHECIA Curtis, 1825
Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831
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[Phalaena] absinthiata Clerck, 1759
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EUPITHECIA pulchellata Stephens, 1831
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EUPITHECIA pulchellata pulchellata Stephens, 1831
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Illustrations of British entomology; or, A synopsis of indigenous insects: containing their generic and specific distinctions. By James Francis Stephens v.3 : Title Page : p.280 - sp2
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Not Specified
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E.p.f.approximata Lempke-Median band narrower
E.p.ab.hebudium Sheldon, 1899-greyish-white ground colour,with brown bands dull
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E.p.pulchellata Stephens, 1831-Nominate subspecies
E.p.intermedia Dietze, 1913-Continental Europe
E.p.grisearia Schwingenschuss, 1939