Hodges#7554.1
Eupithecia assimilata
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Geometroidea
- Family: Geometridae
- Subfamily: Larentiinae
- Tribe: Eupitheciini
- Genus: Eupithecia
- Species: assimilata
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eupithecia assimilata: /juːˈpɪθiə əˌsɪmɪˈleɪtə/
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Images
Summary
The currant pug (Eupithecia assimilata) is a moth of the family Geometridae, first described in 1856. It is characterized by its warm brown forewings and distinct markings. This species is mainly found in North America and also has a presence in parts of Europe and Asia, typically inhabiting areas where its food plants are located.
Physical Characteristics
The wingspan is 17–22 mm. The forewings are warm brown with a triangle of black spots close to the costa, broader wings, and a prominent white spot close to the tornus. The hindwings are darker with a white dot near the anal angle. The egg is shiny white with a smooth surface. The larvae are greenish in spring, reddish or brownish in late summer, featuring clear reddish-brown angular spots on the back. The pupa is yellow-brown with green wing sheaths and has two strong and six thin hook bristles on the cremaster.
Identification Tips
Similar to Eupithecia absinthiata, but can be recognized by the broader forewing, deeper color, larger discal mark, and distinct spotted fringes.
Habitat
Found in a variety of habitats, typically associated with its food plants like currant and hop.
Distribution
Western Newfoundland to central British Columbia; north to Fort McMurray, Alberta, and Great Whale River, Quebec, and south to Apache County, Arizona. It is also found across the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, extending eastward to the Near East and Ussuri region, and to Sakhalin.
Diet
Larvae feed primarily on Ribes sp. (currant) and also on Humulus sp. (hop).
Life Cycle
Two broods are produced each year with adults on the wing in May and June and again in August. The species overwinters as a pupa.
Reproduction
Pupae emerge the same year they are reared from larvae.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- Moth
- Geometridae
- Eupithecia
- Insect