Broad-Bordered Bee Hawk-Moth vs Nettle Pug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-Bordered Bee Hawk-Moth Nettle Pug
Scientific Name Hemaris fuciformis Eupithecia venosata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Geometridae
Size 38-48 mm wingspan 20-24 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Beaches & Coastal
Diet Nectar Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, North Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Broad-Bordered Bee Hawk-Moth

A day-flying sphinx moth with transparent wings that mimic a bumblebee. The scales on its wings fall off on its first flight, leaving clear panels that enhance the bee illusion.

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Did You Know?

This moth deliberately sheds its wing scales on its maiden flight to become transparent — one of the only moths that intentionally destroys its own wing coloring.

Nettle Pug

A small pug moth associated with bladder campion, not nettles despite its name. Larvae feed inside the inflated seed capsules. A rather attractive species.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called 'Nettle Pug', it has no association with nettles and feeds entirely on campion.