Foxglove Pug
Rotfingerhut - Pug ( Eupithecia pulchellata )
The Rotfingerhut - Pug ( Eupithecia pulchellata ), also simply called Foxglove Pug, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 18 to 24 mm. The ground color of the forewing is yellowish red and shows a broad dark gray to dark brown, light framed medium binding, from which a black center spot hardly stands out. At the hem there are dark areas. Overall, the butterfly effect colorful. The hind wings are slightly brighter than the forewings have a darkened Saumfeld and a small black center spot.
Egg
The egg has first a whitish yellow color and takes later yolk yellow tints. It has an oval shape and shows in shell sculpture polygonal to round wells.
Caterpillar
Adults caterpillars are smooth and thick. They are colored either green or reddish and show only a vague drawing.
Doll
The brownish doll stands out because of the greenish elytra and the long proboscis sheath. It is provided with two strong and six weak hook bristles on the conical cremaster.
Similar Species
The toadflax - Pug ( Eupithecia linariata ) and Eupithecia pyreneata both have a smaller wingspan and narrower wings. E. pyreneata usually also shows an overall darker appearance. A genitalmorphologische examination may be helpful in determining the species.
Geographical distribution and occurrence
The nominate E. pulchellata pulchellata native to the British Isles. In central Europe, we find the ssp. Pulchellata E. intermedia. In the Pyrenees, it rises to a height of 2400 meters. The species prefers warm mountain slopes, forest edges, clearings and gardens.
Way of life
The moths are mostly nocturnal and fly from May to August. They sometimes appear frequently on artificial light sources. The females lay eggs singly on the flowers or the flower stems of the food plant. The caterpillars are found from June to September. They feed on the punches and stamens within the flower of the Red foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). The opening of the flower is usually coated with a thin web. Although the caterpillars sometimes occur very numerous, they often result in only a limited number of moths, as they are often infested with parasites. The pupae overwinter.
Endangering
In Germany the Rotfingerhut - Pug on the red list of endangered species is defined as " not at risk " out.