Cork Moth vs Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cork Moth Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Scientific Name Nemapogon cloacella Boloria selene
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tineidae Nymphalidae
Size 10-16 mm wingspan Wingspan 32-44mm
Habitat Gardens Underground
Diet Fungus Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia, introduced to North America Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cork Moth

A small mottled brown and cream moth that naturally breeds in bracket fungi on trees. It occasionally becomes a pest in wine cellars by boring into corks.

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Did You Know?

Wine collectors dread this moth because its larvae can bore through corks and ruin entire cellars of fine wine.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

A small orange fritillary with silver and rufous pearl spots on the hindwing underside.

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Did You Know?

Has declined significantly across Europe due to the loss of coppiced woodland and damp meadow habitats.