Mather's Pug
Common NameMather's Pug
Scientific NameEupithecia matheri
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorspale brown, grey, dark brown
HabitatDeciduous woodlands, forests, and areas with host plants
Geographic RangeEastern North America (e.g., New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, Quebec)
Host Plantsmaple, birch, beech, oak, elm, cherry, willow
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are caterpillars that feed on the foliage of various deciduous trees and shrubs, pupating in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its overall pale brown/grey coloration with subtle darker mottling and a small, dark discal spot on the forewings. Definitive identification often requires examination of genitalia due to similarity with other pug moths.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with pale brown to grayish-brown wings mottled with darker speckles and faint wavy lines, blending well with tree bark.
