Description: Wingspan 21-23 mm. Forewings reddish brown with poorly defined crosslines. There is a faint broken white sub-marginal line, two black costal blotches and a discal spot which are clearly evident against the uniform base colour. The hindwings are lighter with a faint pale-coloured tornal spot. Beginning of May to late August. Skinner gives June and July as the normal flight period in Britain.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; widespread throughout Europe east to the Urals.

Irish Distribution: According to Baynes this species is common and widespread in Ireland and here it is one of the most commonly recorded pugs having been found in all counties. Like many species it has been most frequently encountered in southern counties.

Ecology: This species occurs in a wide variety of habitats and is frequently recorded from woodlands, fens, waste ground and occasionally mature suburban gardens. Adults come frequently to light in moderate numbers. The larvae feed from August to October on various composite species including Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Sea Aster Aster tripolium and Ragwort Senecio jacobaea. It overwinters as a pupa.

Key Identification Features:

• Size
• White submarginal line and black costal blotches
• Black discal spots on forewings

Distribution Map from NBN: Eupithecia absinthiata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Eupithecia absinthiata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.