December Moth vs Currant Clearwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | December Moth | Currant Clearwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Poecilocampa populi | Synanthedon tipuliformis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lasiocampidae | Sesiidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 17-22 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Parks | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, temperate Asia (introduced worldwide) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
December Moth
A dark, hairy moth that flies in the coldest months of the year, from November to January. Its cold-season activity is an adaptation to avoid parasitoids and predators.
Did You Know?
Males fly actively on freezing nights, using antifreeze proteins in their blood to stay airborne.
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.