Slender Pug

The Slender Pug (Eupithecia tenuiata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout Europe and the Near East, in habitats favoured by its food plant.

This is one of the smallest of the Geometrids with a wingspan of only 14-16 mm. Its size is the main identifying feature as it is otherwise rather nondescript, brown with faint paler markings and a tiny black discal spot on each wing. As the name suggests, the wings are narrow, even for a pug. The species flies at night in June and July and will come to light.

The larva feeds on the catkins of sallow and the species overwinters as an egg.

References

Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)

Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984