Mottled Pug

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iMottled Pug
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Geometridae Genus: Eupithecia Species: E. exiguata
Binomial name
Eupithecia exiguata Hübner, 1813

The Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found across the Palearctic region apart from around the Mediterranean Sea. It is common in the British Isles apart from Scotland where it is rather local.

The wingspan is 20-22 mm and the forewings are brown marked with pale radial lines and a black discal spot. The hindwings are cream or grey also with a discal spot. The species flies at night in May and June ^[1] and is attracted to light, sometimes in large numbers.

The larva feeds on the foliage of various trees and shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as a pupa.

1. ↑ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

[edit] Recorded food plants

• Acer - Sycamore
• Berberis
• Crataegus - Hawthorn
• Lonicera - Honeysuckle
• Malus - Apple
• Prunus
• Ribes - Redcurrant
• Sorbus - Rowan

[edit] References

Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)

Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984