Ochreous Pug
Common NameOchreous Pug
Scientific NameEupithecia goossensiata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, ochre
HabitatHeaths, moors, and dry grassy areas where heather grows
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, British Isles
Host PlantsHeather (Calluna vulgaris)
Flight PeriodJuly to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae feed on heather during autumn. The species overwinters as an egg, with pupation occurring in a cocoon in the soil.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its small size, mottled greyish-brown wings with an ochreous tinge, faint crosslines, and a small dark discal spot. It is typically found in heather-rich habitats, though differentiation from similar pug moths can be challenging.
Description
A small, slender moth with mottled greyish-brown wings, often with an ochreous tinge, and faint darker crosslines and a small discal spot. Its cryptic coloration helps it blend with its environment.
