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Wormwood Pug
Eupithecia absinthiata (Clerck, 1759)
Geometridae: Larentiinae
1830 / 70.179
Photo © Ben Sale,  Ashwell Quarry, Hertfordshire (16/07/18)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Currant Pug
Eupithecia assimilata
White-spotted Pug
Eupithecia tripunctaria
Forewing: 11-13mm.
Flight: May - Sept.
Foodplant:   Mugwort, Yarrow, Wormwood, Golden-rod and others.
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

General comments
Widespread resident.

Unlikely to be overlooked or misidentified. The nearly identical Ling Pug (Eupithecia goosensiata) is considered to be a heathland ecotype of the Wormwood Pug and seems to be produced by larvae that have fed on Heather. Unvalidated records of this ecotype are from Bushey Heath and Watford (Foster, 1937) and Tring (Foster, 1942); there are none in the years since then.

Recorded in 35 (85%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1887.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest Records
Date#VC10k - General Area
11/09/2023121TQ17 - Brentford / Hounslow / Richmond
08/09/2023121TQ18 - Harrow / Wembley / Ealing
02/09/2023121TQ28 - Hendon / Hampstead / Camden
19/08/2023121TQ28 - Hendon / Hampstead / Camden
16/08/2023120TL23 - Letchworth / Baldock
03/08/2023120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
02/08/2023121TQ29 - Barnet / Finchley
27/07/2023120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
23/07/2023120TL23 - Letchworth / Baldock
18/07/2023120TL23 - Letchworth / Baldock
Further info: Eupithecia absinthiata
 
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