The V-Pug (Chloroclystis v-ata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region, the Near East and North Africa. It is well distributed in the British Isles except for the north of Scotland.
The forewings of newly emerged adults are green with a characteristic v-shaped black mark. The green colouring fades over time but the markings make this an easy species to identify. The hindwings are greyish white. Either one or two broods are produced each year and adults can be seen at any time between May and August. The species flies at night and is attracted to light.
The green larva, usually with 3 reddish stripes, feeds on the flowers of a wide range of plants. It has been recorded on bramble, elder, goldenrod, hemp-agrimony , mugwort, traveller's-joy and wild angelica. The species overwinters as a pupa.
References
- Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
- Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984