Bolter's Pug
Common NameBolter's Pug
Scientific NameEupithecia bolterii
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black
HabitatDry open woodlands, sagebrush steppe, shrublands
Geographic RangeWestern North America (e.g., California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, British Columbia, Alberta)
Host PlantsArtemisia spp. (sagebrush, wormwood)
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are 'loopers' or 'inchworms' characteristic of the Geometridae family, feeding on *Artemisia* foliage before pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, typical pug moth shape, mottled grey-brown coloration, and association with *Artemisia* host plants. Definitive identification often requires examination of genitalia due to similarity with other *Eupithecia* species.
Description
A small, slender-bodied pug moth with mottled grey and brown forewings, often featuring faint transverse lines and a small discal spot.
