Family: Geometridae Checklist Number: 70.171
Eupithecia indigata (Hubner, 1813)
Ochreous Pug
Occurs over much of mainland Scotland though very thinly spread on the western side. Also recorded on Rum and Canna, the closest localities to South Uist where the species was first found in May 2024. Its appearance coincided with a week of purple-patch mothing when three new pug species were found in the Outer Hebrides. Ochreous Pug is distinctive with a rather plain sandy-grey wing colour and large black, elongated discal spots. The wings are angled back when at rest. It also has a row of small black dots down the length of the abdomen. Conifers, especially Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) are the main larval food-plants.
References:
Leverton, R. & Cubitt, M. (2024). The Larger Moths of Scotland.
Waring, P. & Townsend, M. (2018 third edition). Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.