Moths of North Carolina
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28 NC Records

Eupithecia columbiata (Dyar, 1904) - Columbia Pug Moth

Eupithecia columbiataEupithecia columbiataEupithecia columbiataEupithecia columbiata
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Geometroidea		 Family:
Geometridae		Subfamily:
Larentiinae		Tribe:
Eupitheciini		P3 Number:
91a0165		 MONA Number:
7459.00		 Other Common Name:
Columbia Eupithecia
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes, (1949); McDunnough (1949)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: The ground color is slightly brownish to gray; the outer third is somewhat mottled due to vague fuscous shades opposite the cell and at the fold (Forbes, 1948). The postmedian is even rather than concave, although bending sharply inward at the costa; it is blackish, toothed with black on its inner edge and followed by a pale shade. The subterminal is clear, in a darker shade, and ending with a white tornal patch. The abdomen is dark wood-brown with dark tufts; the second segment is contrastingly paler than the third. This species is very similar to palpata, but that species has an evenly darkish gray abdomen, a more brownish or buffy wing color, and a smoother, less mottled appearance (Forbes, 1948).
Wingspan: 17-18 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Male antennae are pubescent and the female's are simple (Forbes, 1948). The eighth sternite has two heavy rods joined at the base, forming a lyre-shaped structure ending in spurs.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Eupithecia columbiata
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: Larvae reportedly feed on a range of hardwoods, including maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), serviceberry (Amelanchier), birch (Betula), poplar (Populus), cherry (Prunus), and willow (Salix) (Robinson et al., 2010; Beadle & Leckie, 2012). We do not have any feeding records in North Carolina. - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: [W-PK]
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S2S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Eupithecia columbiata - Columbia Pug Moth

Photos: 17

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-09
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-02
Madison Co.
Comment: Male (dissected).
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-02
Madison Co.
Comment: Male (dissected).		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-02
Madison Co.
Comment: Male (dissected).
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-01
Madison Co.
Comment: Aedeagus and genital plate.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-03-30
Madison Co.
Comment: Specimen dissected (see companion images).		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-03-30
Madison Co.
Comment: Genital plate.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-03-30
Madison Co.
Comment: Male genitalia. 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-13
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-07
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-03-25
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-03-30
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-03-30
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-04-13
Madison Co.
Comment: ID based on pointed forewings and pale basal abominal segment, as well as the early date; cannot be confirmed without dissection, however		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-04-13
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2012-04-09
Warren Co.
Comment: