Insects of Britain and Ireland: the pug moths

L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz

Conventional key

If you are serious about identification, you should use the interactive key. It is far superior, with flexible choice of characters, character notes and illustrations, error tolerance, full taxon descriptions, and taxon illustrations.

1(0).

The forewing patterning more or less dominated by the conspicuous, dark discal and smaller costal spots (fasciae and lines lacking or obsolete) ... 2 The forewing patterning more or less confined to the dark discal spot... 12 The forewing patterning not restricted to dark discal or costal and discal spots (exhibiting more or less conspicuous lines and/or fasciae)... 18

2(1).

Forewings with a distinct pale tornal spot ... 3 Forewings without a tornal spot... 11

3(2).

Hindwings with a clear discal mark ... 4 Hindwings without a clear discal mark... 10

4(3).

Hindwings with a pale tornal spot ... 5 Hindwings without a pale tornal spot... 7

5(4).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged) ... Eupithecia absinthiata Forewings not reddish-tinged... 6

6(5).

Forewings distinctly elongate; the forewing patterning dominated by two dark costal spots which form with the discal one the corners of a conspicuous anterior-median triangle; the discal mark of the forewings dot-like; the abdomen with an interruptedblack sub-basal band; botanically specialised ... Eupithecia goossensiata Forewings not noticeably elongate; the forewing patterning without a predominant anterior-median triangle of dark spots; the discal mark of the forewings elongate; the abdomen with a brown or ferrugineous sub-basal band; botanically polyphagous... Eupithecia virgaureata

7(4).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged) ... Eupithecia absinthiata Forewings not reddish-tinged... 8

8(7).

The abdomen with a black lateral streak; botanically polyphagous; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia fraxinata The abdomen laterally neither black-streaked nor black-spotted; botanically specialised; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... 9

9(8).

The forewing patterning dominated by two dark costal spots which form with the discal one the corners of a conspicuous anterior-median triangle; the discal mark of the forewings dot-like; the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band ... Eupithecia goossensiata The forewing patterning without a predominant anterior-median triangle of dark spots; the discal mark of the forewings elongate; the abdomen with a brown or ferrugineous sub-basal band... Eupithecia pimpinellata

10(3).

The costa more or less straight; foodplants herbaceous-dicotyledonous ... Eupithecia absinthiata The costa arched; foodplants woody-dicotyledonous... Eupithecia assimilata

11(2).

Forewings distinctly elongate; the fringes not conspicuously chequered; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; botanically polyphagous; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia fraxinata Forewings not noticeably elongate; the fringes conspicuously chequered; the abdomen with an entire black sub-basal band; botanically specialised; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... Eupithecia expallidata

12(1).

The abdomen with a lateral blackish spot ... 13 The abdomen with lateral series of black spots... 14 The abdomen with a black lateral streak... 16 The abdomen laterally neither black-streaked nor black-spotted... 17

13(12).

Forewings distinctly elongate; the outer margin more or less straight; the costa more or less straight; the forewing patterning without a predominant anterior-median triangle of dark spots; the abdomen conspicuously patterned ... Eupithecia indigata Forewings not noticeably elongate; the outer margin convexly curved; the costa arched; the forewing patterning dominated by two dark costal spots which form with the discal one the corners of a conspicuous anterior-median triangle; the abdomen plain... Eupithecia trisignaria

14(12).

Forewings with a distinct pale tornal spot; forewings apically blunt; thorax neither white nor white-striped; foodplants herbaceous-dicotyledonous ... 15 Forewings without a tornal spot; forewings apically somewhat pointed; thorax with a white posterior spot; foodplants Gymnospermous... Eupithecia lariceata

15(14).

The discal mark of the forewings elongate; thefemale bursa copulatrix ornamented over most of its surface; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; botanically polyphagous; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia subfuscata The discal mark of the forewings dot-like; the female bursa copulatrix with ornamentation conspicuously restricted in distribution; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; botanically specialised; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... Eupithecia denotata

16(12).

Hindwings with a pale tornal spot; thorax witha white posterior spot; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia tripunctaria Hindwings without a pale tornal spot; thorax neither white nor white-striped; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia icterata

17(12).

Hindwings with a pale tornal spot; hindwings rather plain; the subterminal line of the forewings not whitish throughout; the female bursa copulatrix with ornamentation conspicuously restricted in distribution; botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia virgaureata Hindwings without a pale tornal spot; hindwings conspicuously patterned; the subterminal line of the forewings whitish throughout; the female bursa copulatrix ornamented over most of its surface; botanically specialised... Eupithecia pimpinellata

18(1).

Forewings with a distinct pale tornal spot ... 19 Forewings without a tornal spot... 67

19(18).

Forewings distinctly elongate ... 20 Forewings not noticeably elongate... 41

20(19).

Forewings with small dark arrow-like markings pointing inwards from the postmedian line ... Eupithecia pusillata Forewings without a postmedian line bearing arrow-like markings... 21

21(20).

Forewings with double, smoothly curved ante- and postmedian lines predominant ... Eupithecia egenaria Forewings not dominated by double ante- and postmedian lines... 22

22(21).

Hindwings with a clear discal mark ... 23 Hindwings without a clear discal mark... 38

23(22).

Thorax only posteriorly white; forewings whitein the disc ... Eupithecia succenturiata Thorax neither white nor white-striped; forewings not white in the disc... 24

24(23).

Hindwings with a pale tornal spot ... 25 Hindwings without a pale tornal spot... 27

25(24).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged); botanically polyphagous ... 26 Forewings not reddish-tinged; botanically specialised... Eupithecia goossensiata

26(25).

Forewing fringes somewhat chequered; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia vulgata Forewing fringes not chequered; the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... Eupithecia absinthiata

27(24).

The outer margin convexly curved ... 28 The outer margin more or less straight... 37 The outer margin sigmoid-curved... Eupithecia fraxinata

28(27).

Wingspan up to 20 mm ... 29 Wingspan 20 to 25 mm... 30 Wingspan 25 mm or more... 35

29(28).

The discal mark of the forewings elongate; theabdomen with a pale basal band adjoining a dark sub-basal one; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with a pair of apical extensions; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; foodplants Gymnospermous ... Eupithecia tantillaria The discal mark of the forewings dot-like; the abdomen with a brown or ferrugineous sub-basal band; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components; the female bursa copulatrix without spines; foodplants woody-dicotyledonous... Eupithecia inturbata

30(28).

Forewings relatively conspicuously patterned ... 31 Forewings dingy... 33

31(30).

Hindwings conspicuously patterned; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with a pair of apical extensions ... Eupithecia tantillaria Hindwings rather plain; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex... 32

32(31).

The fringes conspicuously chequered; forewingsnot reddish-tinged; the abdomen with a fuscous sub-basal band; botanically specialised ... Eupithecia intricata The fringes not conspicuously chequered; forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged); the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; botanically polyphagous... Eupithecia absinthiata

33(30).

The forewing patterning dominated by two dark costal spots which form with the discal one the corners of a conspicuous anterior-median triangle; the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... 34 The forewing patterning without a predominant anterior-median triangle of dark spots; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia fraxinata

34(33).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged); botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia absinthiata Forewings not reddish-tinged; botanically specialised... Eupithecia goossensiata

35(28).

The fringes conspicuously chequered; botanically specialised ... Eupithecia intricata The fringes not conspicuously chequered; botanically polyphagous... 36

36(35).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged); the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia absinthiata Forewings not reddish-tinged; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia fraxinata

37(27).

The fringes conspicuously chequered; the abdomen with lateral series of black spots; forewings relatively conspicuously patterned; the abdomen with a brown or ferrugineous sub-basal band; botanically specialised ... Eupithecia nanata The fringes not conspicuously chequered; the abdomen with a black lateral streak; forewings dingy; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; botanically polyphagous... Eupithecia fraxinata

38(22).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged) ... 39 Forewings not reddish-tinged... 40

39(38).

Forewing fringes somewhat chequered; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia vulgata Forewing fringes not chequered; the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... Eupithecia absinthiata

40(38).

Hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings; the abdomen plain; forewings apically blunt; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with retuse apex; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny ... Eupithecia cauchiata Hindwings less conspicuously patterned than the forewings; the abdomen conspicuously patterned; forewings apically somewhat pointed; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components; the female bursa copulatrix without spines... Eupithecia inturbata

41(19).

Forewings with a dark discal mark ... 42 Forewings without a discal mark... 66

42(41).

Forewings with small dark arrow-like markings pointing inwards from the postmedian line; the discal mark of the forewings whether posteriorly whitish-edged posteriorly whitish-edged ... Eupithecia pusillata Forewings without a postmedian line bearing arrow-like markings; the discal mark of the forewings whether posteriorly whitish-edged not whitish-edged... 43

43(42).

Hindwings with a clear discal mark ... 44 Hindwings without a clear discal mark... 55

44(43).

Thorax neither white nor white-striped ... 45 Thorax with a white posterior spot... Eupithecia tripunctaria

45(44).

The abdomen conspicuously patterned ... 46 The abdomen plain... 53

46(45).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged) ... 47 Forewings not reddish-tinged... 48

47(46).

Forewing fringes conspicuously chequered ... Eupithecia icterata Forewing fringes somewhat chequered... Eupithecia icterata Forewing fringes not chequered... Eupithecia absinthiata

48(46).

The discal mark of the forewings elongate ... 49 The discal mark of the forewings dot-like... 52

49(48).

Hindwings transversely striated ... 50 Hindwings without transverse striation... 51

50(49).

The abdomen with lateral series of black spots; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia subfuscata The abdomen with a black lateral streak; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; botanically specialised... Eupithecia icterata

51(49).

The abdomen with a fuscous sub-basal band; themale abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex; the female bursa copulatrix with ornamentation conspicuously restricted in distribution; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; botanically specialised ... Eupithecia intricata The abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; the male abdominal plate in the form of two sclerotized components broadly joined basally; the female bursa copulatrix ornamented over most of its surface; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; botanically polyphagous... Eupithecia subfuscata

52(48).

The abdomen with lateral series of black spots; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia denotata The abdomen with a black lateral streak; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia icterata

53(45).

Forewings relatively conspicuously patterned ... 54 Forewings dingy... Eupithecia valerianata

54(53).

The discal mark of the forewings elongate; hindwings without transverse striation; forewings apically blunt; the abdomen with a fuscous sub-basal band; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex ... Eupithecia intricata The discal mark of the forewings dot-like; hindwings transversely striated; forewings apically somewhat pointed; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components... Eupithecia satyrata

55(43).

The abdomen conspicuously patterned ... 56 The abdomen plain... 64

56(55).

The fringes conspicuously chequered ... 57 The fringes not conspicuously chequered... 59

57(56).

Vein 10 of the forewings arising independently, anastomosing with 11 and 9 to form a double areole; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia millefoliata Vein 10 of the forewings arising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 to form a simple areole; melanic imagines frequent... 58

58(57).

The abdomen with lateral series of black spots; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia subfuscata The abdomen with a black lateral streak; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; botanically specialised... Eupithecia icterata

59(56).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged) ... 60 Forewings not reddish-tinged... 63

60(59).

The costa more or less straight ... 61 The costa arched... 62

61(60).

Forewing fringes conspicuously chequered ... Eupithecia icterata Forewing fringes somewhat chequered... Eupithecia icterata Forewing fringes not chequered... Eupithecia absinthiata

62(60).

The abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; foodplants woody-dicotyledonous; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia assimilata The abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; foodplants herbaceous-dicotyledonous; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia icterata

63(59).

The abdomen with lateral series of black spots; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia subfuscata The abdomen with a black lateral streak; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; botanically specialised... Eupithecia icterata

64(55).

The costa more or less straight ... Eupithecia satyrata The costa arched... 65

65(64).

Hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings; forewings not reddish-tinged; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with retuse apex; foodplants herbaceous-dicotyledonous ... Eupithecia cauchiata Hindwings less conspicuously patterned than the forewings; forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged); the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex; foodplants woody-dicotyledonous... Eupithecia assimilata

66(41).

Hindwings with a clear discal mark; the costa arched; forewing fringes not chequered; hindwings transversely striated; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with a pair of apical extensions ... Eupithecia valerianata Hindwings without a clear discal mark; the costa more or less straight; forewing fringes somewhat chequered; hindwings without transverse striation; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components... Eupithecia pygmaeata

67(18).

Forewings yellowish ... 68 Forewings green or greenish when fresh... 69 Forewings blackish... Pasiphila rectangulata Forewings not predominantly green, yellow, or blackish... 72

68(67).

Forewing fringes somewhat chequered; hindwingsless conspicuously patterned than the forewings; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with a pair of apical extensions; the female bursa copulatrix not ornamented exclusively by one or two narrow, curved transverse rows of tiny spines; botanically polyphagous ... Chloroclystis v-ata Forewing fringes not chequered; hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components; the female bursa copulatrix ornamented exclusively by two adjacent, narrow, curved transverse rows of tiny spines; botanically specialised... Pasiphila rectangulata

69(67).

Hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components; botanically specialised ... 70 Hindwings less conspicuously patterned than the forewings; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with a pair of apical extensions; botanically polyphagous... Chloroclystis v-ata

70(69).

The fringes conspicuously chequered; the postmedian forewing line once-angulated to the costa ... Pasiphila chloerata The fringes not conspicuously chequered; the postmedian forewing line twice-angulated (dentate) near the costa... 71

71(70).

Forewing fringes conspicuously chequered ... Pasiphila debiliata Forewing fringes somewhat chequered... Pasiphila debiliata Forewing fringes not chequered... Pasiphila rectangulata

72(67).

Forewings with small dark arrow-like markings pointing inwards from the postmedian line ... 73 Forewings without a postmedian line bearing arrow-like markings... 75

73(72).

Forewings at least partially reddish-tinged (ferrugineous-tinged); forewings apically somewhat pointed; posterior tibiae of males 2-spurred; the female bursa copulatrix ornamented over most of its surface; botanically polyphagous ... Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Forewings not reddish-tinged; forewings apically blunt; posterior tibiae of males 4-spurred; the female bursa copulatrix with ornamentation conspicuously restricted in distribution; botanically specialised... 74

74(73).

The female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia dodoneata The female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia abbreviata

75(72).

Forewings with a dark discal mark ... 76 Forewings without a discal mark... 108

76(75).

Forewings with a dark grey band and two reddish-ochreous fasciae; the female bursa copulatrix entirely smooth or only very finely scobinate ... 77 Forewings without a dark grey band and two reddish-ochreous fasciae; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously ornamented... 78

77(76).

Forewings exhibiting a conspicuous broad median fascia from costa to dorsum; the abdomen plain; the median band of the forewings grey, not interrupted with ochreous ... Eupithecia linariata Forewings without a conspicuous broad median fascia from costa to dorsum; the abdomen conspicuously patterned; the median band of the forewings grey, interrupted with ochreous... Eupithecia pulchellata

78(76).

Thorax wholly white ... Eupithecia centaureata Thorax with a white central stripe... Eupithecia insigniata Thorax neither white nor white-striped... 79 Thorax with a white posterior spot... Eupithecia lariceata Thorax grey, with a conspicuous anterior black collar... Eupithecia phoeniceata

79(78).

Forewings distinctly elongate ... 80 Forewings not noticeably elongate... 94

80(79).

Forewings with double, smoothly curved ante- and postmedian lines predominant ... Eupithecia egenaria Forewings not dominated by double ante- and postmedian lines... 81

81(80).

Hindwings with a clear discal mark ... 82 Hindwings without a clear discal mark... 92

82(81).

Forewings white in the disc ... Eupithecia irriguata Forewings not white in the disc... 83

83(82).

Hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings ... 84 Hindwings less conspicuously patterned than the forewings... 85

84(83).

The abdomen conspicuously patterned; the abdomen with a black lateral streak; forewings dingy; the female bursa copulatrix ornamented over most of its surface; botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia fraxinata The abdomen plain; the abdomen laterally neither black-streaked nor black-spotted; forewings relatively conspicuously patterned; the female bursa copulatrix with ornamentation conspicuously restricted in distribution; botanically specialised... Eupithecia distinctaria

85(83).

The discal mark of the forewings elongate ... 86 The discal mark of the forewings dot-like... 91

86(85).

Forewings with median lines black throughout; the female bursa copulatrix only inconspicuously spiny ... Eupithecia venosata Forewings with median lines blackish only on the costa, otherwise faint; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny... 87

87(86).

The fringes conspicuously chequered ... 88 The fringes not conspicuously chequered... 89

88(87).

Hindwings conspicuously patterned; hindwings transversely striated; the abdomen with a pale basal band adjoining a dark sub-basal one; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with a pair of apical extensions ... Eupithecia tantillaria Hindwings rather plain; hindwings without transverse striation; the abdomen with a fuscous sub-basal band; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex... Eupithecia intricata

89(87).

Forewing fringes conspicuously chequered ... Eupithecia tantillaria Forewing fringes somewhat chequered... 90 Forewing fringes not chequered... Eupithecia fraxinata

90(89).

The female bursa copulatrix ornamented over most of its surface; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia fraxinata The female bursa copulatrix with ornamentation conspicuously restricted in distribution; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... Eupithecia exiguata

91(85).

The fringes conspicuously chequered; the abdomen laterally neither black-streaked nor black-spotted; the costa arched; the abdomen with a brown or ferrugineous sub-basal band; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components ... Eupithecia inturbata The fringes not conspicuously chequered; the abdomen with a black lateral streak; the costa more or less straight; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex... Eupithecia exiguata

92(81).

The costa more or less straight; the discal mark of the forewings elongate; forewings with median lines black throughout ... Eupithecia venosata The costa arched; the discal mark of the forewings dot-like; forewings with median lines blackish only on the costa, otherwise faint... 93

93(92).

Hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings; the abdomen plain; forewings apically blunt; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with retuse apex; the female bursa copulatrix conspicuously spiny ... Eupithecia cauchiata Hindwings less conspicuously patterned than the forewings; the abdomen conspicuously patterned; forewings apically somewhat pointed; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components; the female bursa copulatrix without spines... Eupithecia inturbata

94(79).

The termen of the hindwings dentate; the male abdomen without a sclerotized plate under the eighth segment ... Anticollix sparsata The termen of the hindwings relatively smooth (no more than somewhat sinuous - not dentate); the male abdomen with a sclerotized plate under the eighth segment... 95

95(94).

Forewings with ochreous-brown veins and costa ... Eupithecia tenuiata Forewings with veins and costa not ochreous-brown... 96

96(95).

Forewings relatively conspicuously patterned ... 97 Forewings dingy... 104

97(96).

Forewings with median lines black throughout ... Eupithecia venosata Forewings with median lines blackish only on the costa, otherwise faint... 98

98(97).

Hindwings transversely striated ... 99 Hindwings without transverse striation... Eupithecia intricata

99(98).

The fringes conspicuously chequered ... 100 The fringes not conspicuously chequered... 103

100(99).

The costa more or less straight ... 101 The costa arched... 102

101(100).

Vein 10 of the forewings arising independently, anastomosing with 11 and 9 to form a double areole; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia millefoliata Vein 10 of the forewings arising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 to form a simple areole; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia icterata

102(100).

The abdomen with a black lateral streak; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; the female bursa copulatrix not ornamented exclusively by one or two narrow, curved transverse rows of tiny spines; foodplants herbaceous-dicotyledonous; melanic imagines frequent ... Eupithecia icterata The abdomen laterally neither black-streaked nor black-spotted; the abdomen with an interrupted black sub-basal band; the female bursa copulatrix ornamented exclusively by single narrow, curved transverse row of tiny spines; foodplants woody-dicotyledonous; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered... Pasiphila chloerata

103(99).

The abdomen with lateral series of black spots; the abdomen with a brown or ferrugineous sub-basal band; vein 10 of the forewings arising independently, anastomosing with 11 and 9 to form a double areole; foodplants Gymnospermous; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia abietaria The abdomen with a black lateral streak; the abdomen neither ringed nor banded nor white-based; vein 10 of the forewings arising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 to form a simple areole; foodplants herbaceous-dicotyledonous; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia icterata

104(96).

The discal mark of the forewings grey, indistinct ... Eupithecia plumbeolata The discal mark of the forewings black and distinct... 105

105(104).

The abdomen conspicuously patterned ... 106 The abdomen plain... 107

106(105).

Vein 10 of the forewings arising independently, anastomosing with 11 and 9 to form a double areole; melanic imagines unlikely to be encountered ... Eupithecia simpliciata Vein 10 of the forewings arising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 to form a simple areole; melanic imagines frequent... Eupithecia icterata

107(105).

Vein 10 of the forewings arising independently, anastomosing with 11 and 9 to form a double areole; botanically specialised ... Eupithecia simpliciata Vein 10 of the forewings arising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 to form a simple areole; botanically polyphagous... Eupithecia cauchiata

108(75).

Hindwings with a clear discal mark; vein 10 of the forewings arising independently, anastomosing with 11 and 9 to form a double areole; botanically polyphagous ... Eupithecia subumbrata Hindwings without a clear discal mark; vein 10 of the forewings arising out of 11 and anastomosing with 9 to form a simple areole; botanically specialised... 109

109(108).

Forewing fringes conspicuously chequered; the fringes conspicuously chequered; the abdomen conspicuously patterned; the abdomen with fuscous lateral spots; the male abdominal plate in the form of a single sclerotized patch with entire apex ... Eupithecia extensaria Forewing fringes somewhat chequered; the fringes not conspicuously chequered; the abdomen plain; the abdomen laterally neither black-streaked nor black-spotted; the male abdominal plate in the form of two separate sclerotized components... 110

110(109).

Hindwings patterned similarly to the forewings; hindwings conspicuously patterned; the costa arched; forewings apically blunt; the abdomen suffused pale reddish towards the base ... Eupithecia haworthiata Hindwings less conspicuously patterned than the forewings; hindwings rather plain; the costa more or less straight; forewings apically somewhat pointed; the abdomen not reddish towards the base... Eupithecia plumbeolata

We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.

Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards. Insects of Britain and Ireland: the pug moths (Lepidoptera-Geometridae). Version: 27th July 2019. delta-intkey.com’.

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