Yorkshire Status: Very common and widespread resident.

This is well named as it is indeed the commonest Pug that you will encounter. Porritt described it as "abundant everywhere" in 1883 and not much has changed since. Fresh typical specimens are fairly easy to identify as it has little in the way of a discal spot and there is a pale wavy subterminal line ending in a tornal spot. The colour is reddish-brown and the cross bands are fairly prominent. That is a "typical" individual. The problem arises when it is not typical, and that is a frequent occurrence. It can be a great mimic and often fools even experienced moth trappers as it loves to tease us with subtle variations. Melanic forms are not uncommon. When you start to dissect unusual Pugs, you will be surprised how many turn out to be Common Pug. It is meant to fly from early May to mid-July but evidently does not read the books as we have seen moths in all months from February to November. Late moths are becoming more frequent and this is likely to be from a second brood.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: One of the few pugs which is commonly recorded throughout all five vice-counties.

Recorded in 161 (81%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1857. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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