70.166 (BF1842)

Plain Pug   

Eupithecia simpliciata
Macro
Geometridae
Adult: 2
Resident, very rare, very local. Widespread in England becoming rare and local in the north, scarce and very local in Scotland to the Firth of Forth. It shows a steep decline in distribution since 1990.

Identification

Care needed in separating from other ‘pugs.’ A fairly large, pale sandy brown pug, with a prominent, gently-curved but narrow cross-band just beyond the dark central-spot should aid identification.

Recording method

Comes to light.

Life cycle

Overwinters as a pupa. Larva are present during August to September.

Larval foodplants

Ripening seedheads of oraches and goosefoots.

Habitat

A wide variety from saltmarshes, coastal cliffs to open ground on lighter soils.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1870 for VC73 in Colvend parish by White but the only recent record was in 2011 for VC74 for Luce Bay by Kevin McCabe.

2 record(s) from 2 hectad(s) in D&G

VC74 VC73 VC72
Last recorded 2011 1870

 UK Moths website - further information on species (with photos)

 East Scotland Butterfly Conservation website - national distribution maps and phenology

Back To Top