Currant Clearwing vs Mountain Ringlet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Currant Clearwing | Mountain Ringlet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Synanthedon tipuliformis | Erebia epiphron |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sesiidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 17-22 mm wingspan | 32-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia (introduced worldwide) | Mountain ranges of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees, Scotland, Lake District) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (vulnerable to climate change) |
Currant Clearwing
A small wasp-mimicking moth with transparent wings and a black body banded with yellow. Its larvae bore into the stems of currant and gooseberry bushes.
Did You Know?
Its wasp mimicry is so convincing that gardeners who encounter it rarely realise they are looking at a moth.
Mountain Ringlet
A small dark brown butterfly with orange-ringed eyespots found only at high altitudes. In Britain it is the only truly alpine butterfly, flying above 500 metres.
Did You Know?
It only flies in sunshine and immediately drops into the grass the moment a cloud covers the sun.