Identification

Care required to separate from other ‘pugs.’ The lengthy, narrow forewings, with strongly angled cross-lines edged with white on a light and dark marbled forewing appearance should identify it. The adopted posture will also help, but it can rest like most other pugs.

Recording method

Can be disturbed by day from its foodplant heather, comes to light.

Life cycle

Two overlapping generations. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present mid-June to late September.

Larval foodplants

Heather flowers.

Habitat

Heathland and moorland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1862 at Dalskairth by Lennon, in 1899 for VC74 near Monreith by Morton and in 1944 for VC72 at Tynron by Duncan.