Geometridae : Larentiinae
Foxglove Pug
EUPITHECIA pulchellata Stephens, 1831
Foxglove Pug
EUPITHECIA pulchellata Stephens, 1831
Life Cycle Guide
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 -
Habitat: Woodland : Waste ground : Moorland : Calcareous grassland
Similar Species -
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.
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
- Only in western Europe
- Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831
- [Phalaena] absinthiata Clerck, 1759
- Not Specified
Habitat: Woodland : Waste ground : Moorland : Calcareous grassland
Similar Species -
- Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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
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.
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.
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.
- Brassicaceae - Mustards - Mustard Flowers - Crucifers - Cabbage Family
- Brassica oleraceae - Wild Cabbage
- Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family
- Digitalis purpurea - Foxglove
Larval Food Plant Slideshow
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Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Tribe: Genus: Accepted Species Name: Type Species - EUPITHECIA: Original Species Name: Nominotypical Subspecies: Literary Ref: Type Locality: Forms/Aberrations: Subspecies: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Geometroidea Geometridae Larentiinae Eupitheciini EUPITHECIA Curtis, 1825 Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831 - [Phalaena] absinthiata Clerck, 1759 - EUPITHECIA pulchellata Stephens, 1831 - EUPITHECIA pulchellata pulchellata Stephens, 1831 - 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 - Not Specified - E.p.f.approximata Lempke-Median band narrower E.p.ab.hebudium Sheldon, 1899-greyish-white ground colour,with brown bands dull - E.p.pulchellata Stephens, 1831-Nominate subspecies E.p.intermedia Dietze, 1913-Continental Europe E.p.grisearia Schwingenschuss, 1939 |