John Thacker
Harwell, Oxon
A Blog for moth recorders in Bucks, Berks and Oxon
Friday 16 August 2019
Foxglove Pug?
Size (FW about 8.5 mm) and timing (14 August) suggest that this could be a Toadflax Pug, but the small indentation on the outer part of the central crossband near to the costa suggest Foxglove Pug. The Field Guide (WTL) suggests there is sometimes a partial second generation for the Foxglove Pug. Grateful for any advice.
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My instincts say Toadflax Pug for this one, based on colouring and slightly narrower cross-band. If other people's instincts don't match mine then we probably need the specimen!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Toadflax to me as well Martin. BW, Marc
ReplyDeleteThese two can be very tricky, John. As you say, in your image there is a hint of a kink in the outer side of the central cross-band as it reaches the costa. If I'd caught that one I'd want it dissected to be sure.
ReplyDeleteIn the latest version of the field guide there is no longer any mention of a partial second brood for Foxglove Pug, just that it can go on until early August in the north of the UK. It would be interesting to hear why there was a change.
Thanks to all, but I'm afraid I let it go, so no dissection. I guess I'll record it as Toadflax Pug - or perhaps the less prosaic Beautiful Pug (as E. linariata was named in early guidebooks).
ReplyDeleteYes that's fine for Toadflax Pug. Regarding the phenology I reviewed the evidence for a second brood in Foxglove Pug and concluded there was nothing concrete. Moreover, other books including Skinner, and Riley and Prior say one generation into August. The confusion between the two species was also a factor. Nationally there appears to be no peak in August.
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