Cypress Pug
Eupithecia phoeniceata
This record describes Eupithecia phoeniceata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Winspan18 to 22 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is pale greyish buff with conspicuous, blackish, vein-like patterning. Due to the fact that this moth is rarely recorded in our area all records must be accompanied by a photograph please. Associated with Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars. Flies in August and September, occasionally earlier. The larvae feed on Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars. They are very well camouflaged, closely resembling a sprig of the foodplant. A relatively recent arrival in Britain, being first recorded in Cornwall in 1959. Since then it has spread along the south coast and northwards to the south Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
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
Associated with Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in August and September, occasionally earlier.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars. They are very well camouflaged, closely resembling a sprig of the foodplant.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A relatively recent arrival in Britain, being first recorded in Cornwall in 1959. Since then it has spread along the south coast and northwards to the south Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia phoeniceata. 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 Cypress Pug (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Cypress Pug
What is Cypress Pug?
Cypress Pug (Eupithecia phoeniceata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Cypress Pug found?
Habitat: Associated with Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars.
When is Cypress Pug active?
Cypress Pug: seasonal activity - Flies in August and September, occasionally earlier..
What is the life cycle of a Cypress Pug?
The larvae feed on Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars. They are very well camouflaged, closely resembling a sprig of the foodplant.