70.161 BF1851 - Golden-rod Pug - Geometridae - Eupithecia virgaureata

70.161 BF1851 - Geometridae - Larentiinae - Eupithecia virgaureata - Golden-rod Pug

Adult Macro: CAT 3 - Difficult to identify/Very rare/Scarce species (includes very scarce adventives/immigrants)/County-level first records - images or specimen may be required -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Macro >> . >> Geometridae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: Larch Pug, Grey Pug, Wormwood Pug, Currant Pug

ID pointers: A difficult species to identify. Chequered Veins, a good sized thoracic, conspicuous dark central and tonal spots. Often a white spot in trailing corner. Sometimes a white mark on back of thorax.

Distribution: A resident that is widely distributed across Derbyshire and is not uncommon. Most examples are of the melanic form ab nigra Lempke, so can be confused with other species.

Flight Period: May / June / July / August / - May – June and July – August

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

*** Last updated on 11 March 2025 by RP ***

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Wingspan: 17-23mm
Forewing: 10-12mm

Food Plant: Ragworts and Goldenrod

Last Recorded By - Not Recorded

Last Recorded General Area - Not Recorded

IMAGES BELOW: Photos by kind permission of Christian Heintzen© – Glossop May 2024 and Rowan Wakefield© – Buxton 7/8/2021 – Sandiacre – Paul Buxton©