Plain Pug
Eupithecia simpliciata
This record describes Eupithecia simpliciata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 21 to 23 mm. Despite its English (and Latin) name, this is one of the more distinctively-marked Pug moths, and is relatively easy to identify. Frequents waste ground and similar areas where the larval foodplants are found. The caterpillars feed on the seeds of Orache and Goosefoot. It is found throughout most of England, though scarcer further north, and is local in Ireland and Wales. 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
Frequents waste ground and similar areas where the larval foodplants are found.
Seasonal Activity
It flies from June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillars feed on the seeds of Orache and Goosefoot.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is found throughout most of England, though scarcer further north, and is local in Ireland and Wales. 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 simpliciata. 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 Plain Pug (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Plain Pug
What is Plain Pug?
Plain Pug (Eupithecia simpliciata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Plain Pug found?
Habitat: Frequents waste ground and similar areas where the larval foodplants are found.
When is Plain Pug active?
Plain Pug: seasonal activity - It flies from June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Plain Pug?
The caterpillars feed on the seeds of Orache and Goosefoot.