Geometridae : Larentiinae
Plain Pug
EUPITHECIA simpliciata (Haworth, 1809)
Plain Pug
EUPITHECIA simpliciata (Haworth, 1809)
Kind permission - © Tim Norriss
Life Cycle Guide
Description
Wingspan: 21 - 23mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe - less (Croatia,Luxembourg,Portugal,N Russia and all Mediterranean Islands ) eastwards to western Siberia
UK Distribution: Local throughout much of England and Wales with coastal preference : Isle of Man - local and rare : Southern Ireland and eastern Northern Ireland - very local : Channel Isles - local and occasional
UK Conservation Status -
Habitat: Edges of salt-marshes : Coastal Cliffs : Tidal Rivers : Banks of estuaries
Similar Species -
Pupa: Pupates overwinter in loose soil
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: The moth has light brown forewings with a gently undulating white postmedian lines which is just outside the discal spots with the hindwings being slightly greyer. The postmedian line varies and can be quite weak.
Although similar to the Yarrow Pug this moth has fuller rounded wings which sometimes are greyish and arched costa and gently curved postmedian line.
The moth is sometimes seen at rest and is attracted to light.
Worldwide Distribution: Europe - less (Croatia,Luxembourg,Portugal,N Russia and all Mediterranean Islands ) eastwards to western Siberia
UK Distribution: Local throughout much of England and Wales with coastal preference : Isle of Man - local and rare : Southern Ireland and eastern Northern Ireland - very local : Channel Isles - local and occasional
UK Conservation Status -
- Local = 101 - 300 10km squares
- Least Concern
- Geometra simpliciata (Haworth, 1809)
- Phalaena absinthiata Clerck, 1759
- Not Specified
Habitat: Edges of salt-marshes : Coastal Cliffs : Tidal Rivers : Banks of estuaries
Similar Species -
- Yarrow Pug - Eupithecia millefoliata - Rössler, 1866
Pupa: Pupates overwinter in loose soil
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: The moth has light brown forewings with a gently undulating white postmedian lines which is just outside the discal spots with the hindwings being slightly greyer. The postmedian line varies and can be quite weak.
Although similar to the Yarrow Pug this moth has fuller rounded wings which sometimes are greyish and arched costa and gently curved postmedian line.
The moth is sometimes seen at rest and is attracted to light.
Photo Gallery
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.
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.
- Chenopodiaceae - The Goosefoot Family - Larva feeds on flowers and green seeds of following plants
- Atriplex laciniata - Frosted Orache
- Atriplex nidens - Hoary Orache
- Atriplex patula - Common Orache
- Chenopodium album - Lamb's Goosefoot - Fat-hen
- Chenopodium vulvaria - Stinking Goosefoot
- Atriplex laciniata - Frosted Orache
Larval Food Plants
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Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Tribe: Genus: Accepted Species Name: Type Species - EUPITHECIA: Original Species Name: Genus Names: Literary Ref: Type Locality: Forms: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Geometroidea Geometridae Larentiinae Eupitheciini EUPITHECIA Curtis, 1825 Eupithecia simpliciata (Haworth, 1809) - Phalaena absinthiata Clerck, 1759 - GEOMETRA simpliciata (Haworth, 1809) - = EUPITHECIA Curtis, 1825 = Tephroclystia Hübner 1825 - Lepidoptera Britannica (3): Title Page : p.359- n.135 - Not Specified - E.s.f.brunnea Lempke, 1951 - wing background definitely brown |