Pinion-spotted Pug
Eupithecia insigniata
This record describes Eupithecia insigniata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. One of the more distinctively marked 'Pug' moths. Although this is a distinctively marked species a photograph is requested to support records in view of the rarity of this species in our area. Various habitats such as hedgerows or other bushy places, especially where Hawthorn or Apple occur. The slender greenish caterpillars have red markings along the back and feed on Hawthorn and Apple. Mainly found south of a line from the Humber to the Severn, this is an infrequently recorded species. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
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
Various habitats such as hedgerows or other bushy places, especially where Hawthorn or Apple occur.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in April and May.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The slender greenish caterpillars have red markings along the back and feed on Hawthorn and Apple.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Mainly found south of a line from the Humber to the Severn, this is an infrequently recorded species. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia insigniata. 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 Pinion-spotted Pug (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Pinion-spotted Pug
What is Pinion-spotted Pug?
Pinion-spotted Pug (Eupithecia insigniata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Pinion-spotted Pug found?
Habitat: Various habitats such as hedgerows or other bushy places, especially where Hawthorn or Apple occur.
When is Pinion-spotted Pug active?
Pinion-spotted Pug: seasonal activity - The adults fly in April and May..
What is the life cycle of a Pinion-spotted Pug?
The slender greenish caterpillars have red markings along the back and feed on Hawthorn and Apple.