Bilberry Pug
Common NameBilberry Pug
Scientific NameEupithecia goossensiata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, green, black
HabitatMoorland, heathland, woodlands with bilberry undergrowth
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, including Great Britain, Ireland, parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and southern Scandinavia.
Host PlantsBilberry (*Vaccinium myrtillus*)
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green or reddish-brown, feeding on the flowers and developing berries of bilberry, then pupating in the soil over winter.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its characteristic mottled grey-green coloration and strong association with bilberry; careful examination of wing markings is needed to differentiate from similar pug species.
Description
A small moth with mottled grey-green wings, speckled with numerous dark spots and faint, wavy cross-lines, providing excellent camouflage.
