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Cypress Pug
Eupithecia phoeniceata (Rambur, 1834)
Geometridae: Larentiinae
1855 / 70.159
Photo © Tony Grant,  14/09/2023 to MV Blacklight nr Bear Cross North B'm'th

Similar Dorset Species: None
Forewing: 10-11mm
Flight: August - September (May - Oct)
Foodplant:   Cypress species
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local (alien-foodplant)
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3

Davey, P., 2009: First recorded in Cornwall in 1959, the Channel Isles the following year and now widespread in southern Britain, the larva feeding on monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and leyland cypress (Cupressus leylandii). The first Cypress Pug in Dorset was found at Swanage by John Langmaid and R Hayward on 23 September 1961. The species was not seen again until 1975 when a colony was noted at Furzebrook. Only from 1982 did the moth begin to appear in other localities, but always close to the coast. At the present time the moth remains restricted to coastal districts where it is widespread but at low density. Occasional singletons turn up elsewhere, but as yet there is no indication that the species has managed to make inroads into the heart of the county, unlike two other cypress-feeding colonists, namely, the Cypress Carpet and the Blair's Shoulder-knot. The national norm is for a single brood in August and September, and this is the case in Dorset, but individuals noted in June and July, and again in October and November, suggest an occasional partial bivoltine cycle too.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 27 (68%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1961.
Last Recorded in 2019.
(Data up to end 2019)

Latest 5 Records (Data up to end 2019)
Date#VC10k Area
30/09/201919SY68 - Weymouth / Martinstown
29/09/201919SY68 - Weymouth / Martinstown
21/09/201919SU00 - Wimborne
21/09/201919SY58 - Abbotsbury
16/09/201919SY49 - Bridport
Further info: Eupithecia phoeniceata
 
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