70.183 BF1834

Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata

(Haworth, 1809)

Wingspan 15-18 mm.

Common and widespread throughout Britain, this species is represented by a number of subspecies and forms.

Typical forms and the Scottish and Irish subspecies scotica and clarensis have fairly distinct markings, but the fairly common form f. atropicta is dull and poorly marked, though it does usually retain some trace of the white subterminal line.

The species flies from May to August, with two generations in the typical race.

The larvae feed on a range of trees and plants, including sallow (Salix) and hawthorn (Crataegus). It occurs in any suitable habitat except for ssp. clarensis, which is restricted to the limestone habitat of the Burren, Co. Clare.