Tawny Speckled Pug
Common NameTawny Speckled Pug
Scientific NameEupithecia icterata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, orange
HabitatGardens, hedgerows, woodland edges, scrubland
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsragwort, yarrow, goldenrod, tansy
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThis moth is univoltine, producing one generation per year. Larvae feed on the flowers and seeds of various herbaceous plants, particularly those in the Asteraceae family, and pupate in the soil over winter.
Identification TipsKey features for identification include the distinctive tawny or ochreous patch on the forewing, which can vary in intensity. It also has a small, dark discal spot and faint, wavy cross-lines. Distinguishing it from other 'pug' moths often requires close examination of these subtle markings.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with brownish-grey forewings featuring a prominent tawny or ochreous patch in the central area, often with faint cross-lines and a small dark discal spot. The hindwings are paler.
