Brindled Pug
Eupithecia abbreviata
This record describes Eupithecia abbreviata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 19 to 22 mm. Like several other species, in addition to the typical form there is a fairly common melanic form, hirschkei , which is devoid of many markings. An early spring species, and one of the first pugs of the season to be regularly encountered, it flies in one generation in April and May. Fairly common in much of Britain, except the far north of Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Eupithecia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It inhabits deciduous woodland.
Seasonal Activity
An early spring species, and one of the first pugs of the season to be regularly encountered, it flies in one generation in April and May.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Oak and Hawthorn.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common in much of Britain, except the far north of Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia abbreviata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Brindled Pug (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brindled Pug
What is Brindled Pug?
Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Brindled Pug found?
Habitat: It inhabits deciduous woodland.
When is Brindled Pug active?
Brindled Pug: seasonal activity - An early spring species, and one of the first pugs of the season to be regularly encountered, it flies in one generation in April and May..
What is the life cycle of a Brindled Pug?
The larvae feed on Oak and Hawthorn.