Wormwood Pug
Eupithecia absinthiata
This record describes Eupithecia absinthiata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
If you are recording the caterpillar, please note the host-plant. Inhabiting open waste ground, gardens and woodland fringes. The adults fly in June and July and are often attracted to light. The larval foodplants are a range of low-growing plants, including Ragwort and Yarrow. This species is widespread and fairly common over much of Britain. 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 (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Eupitheciini
- Genus
- Eupithecia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting open waste ground, gardens and woodland fringes.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in June and July and are often attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants are a range of low-growing plants, including Ragwort and Yarrow.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is widespread and fairly common over much of Britain. 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 absinthiata. 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 Wormwood Pug (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Wormwood Pug
What is Wormwood Pug?
Wormwood Pug (Eupithecia absinthiata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Wormwood Pug found?
Habitat: Inhabiting open waste ground, gardens and woodland fringes.
When is Wormwood Pug active?
Wormwood Pug: seasonal activity - The adults fly in June and July and are often attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Wormwood Pug?
The larval foodplants are a range of low-growing plants, including Ragwort and Yarrow.