70.179 Wormwood Pug Copyright Martin Evans
70.179 Wormwood Pug female Copyright Martin Evans
70.179 Wormwood Pug and Ling Pug Copyright Martin Evans
70.179 Wormwood Pug, Bleached Pug and Currant Pug Copyright Martin Evans
70.179 Wormwood Pug and Campanula Pug Copyright Martin Evans
Distribution map Copyright Martin Evans
Life stages table Copyright Martin Evans 70.179 Wormwood Pug Copyright Martin Evans

Geometridae

70.179 Wormwood Pug Eupithecia absinthiata (Clerck, 1759)

Common

Similar species: Ling Pug Eupithecia goossensiata is a heathland species that is smaller (9 to 11mm) and greyer in colour. Bleached Pug Eupithecia expallidata has a broader pale forewing (12 to 13mm) with cross-lines and a less obvious white spot in the trailing corner. Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata has a smaller (9 to 12mm), broader, reddish forewing and an even more obvious white spot in the trailing corner. Campanula Pug Eupithecia denotata has less prominent markings on the leading edge of the forewing and lacks the dark band across the base of the abdomen.

Forewing: 11 to 13mm

Habitats: Open woodland, moorland, heathland, grasslands, road verges, salt-marsh, tidal river-banks, sand-dunes and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the flowers of ragworts, Mugwort, Yarrow, Wormwood, Sea Wormwood, Sea Aster, Michaelmas Daisy, Goldenrod, Canadian Goldenrod, goosefoots, Hemp Agrimony, Field Scabious, Heather and other herbaceous plants. It pupates in loose soil.