Pugs
Image: Ben Sale from Stevenage, UK (CC BY 2.0)
Common NamePugs
Scientific NameEupithecia
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, tan
HabitatDiverse, including woodlands, gardens, heathlands, grasslands
Geographic RangeWorldwide (cosmopolitan)
Host Plantsvarious trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodVaries by species and region, typically spring to autumn
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as 'loopers' or 'inchworms', feed on flowers, seeds, or leaves of various plants. Pupation usually occurs in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsIdentification to species level is challenging due to similar appearances and subtle differences in wing patterns, often requiring examination of genitalia and host plant association.
Description
Small to medium-sized moths, typically with slender bodies and broad, triangular forewings. Their coloration is often cryptic, featuring shades of brown, grey, or tan, with subtle patterns of lines and spots that aid in camouflage.
