Cypress Pug - Eupithecia phoeniceata

Winspan18 to 22 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is pale greyish buff with conspicuous, blackish, vein-like patterning.

Due to the fact that this moth is rarely recorded in our area all records must be accompanied by a photograph please.

Associated with Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars.

Flies in August and September, occasionally earlier.

The larvae feed on Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and other cultivars. They are very well camouflaged, closely resembling a sprig of the foodplant.

A relatively recent arrival in Britain, being first recorded in Cornwall in 1959. Since then it has spread along the south coast and northwards to the south Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.