Before this year, I am sure I'd never seen Pugs like these before. I have now caught 6 and have posted a couple of examples below. They are large, with a 25mm wingspan and food plant (Hawk's beard) is abundant in the overgrown garden next door, anyone care to comment?
Yarrow Pug
Caught 9th August. Spot on Bill D!
Yarrow Pug?........probably
Caught 24th August.
To add to this, the example from 9th August was dissected by Andy Banthorpe of VC30 Moth Group. It was found to be a male Yarrow Pug, only the 12th confirmed for the vice county. I could be wrong, but the others (another 5) were probably the same species. I will pay more attention if I trap any next year.
Plain Pug
ReplyDeleteShaded Pug for both in my opinion, Plain has slightly more rounded wing-tips.
ReplyDeleteBased on wing shape, and the markings around the discal spot, I would definitely consider Yarrow Pug for both.
ReplyDeleteBill
Yarrow is a good alternative possibility - still feel they are Plain Pug myself. Size is right for Yarrow and Plain, large for Shaded. Wingshape is affected by wear - and these are both worn individuals (the second picture is basically unidentifiable). Shaded should be well over by now, Yarrow flies a little earlier than Plain, and Plain should just be coming to end of flight period. Keep one and get it detted.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments guys, I have sent one example (9th August)to Andy Banthorpe for gen det. Just for the record my first record was 24th July and all being of similar size and shape. What ever it is, I think all are the same species- I just wish I had taken a few more photos of the ones earlier in the year.
ReplyDeleteGen det of 9th Aug one was male Yarrow Pug
ReplyDelete