Mother of Pearl Moth vs Beautiful Snout

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mother of Pearl Moth Beautiful Snout
Scientific Name Patania ruralis Hypena crassalis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crambidae Erebidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 30-36 mm wingspan
Habitat Hedgerows Heathland
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mother of Pearl Moth

A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.

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Did You Know?

Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.

Beautiful Snout

A moth with long palps forming a snout-like projection and warm purple-brown wings crossed by pale lines. It is associated exclusively with bilberry on acidic heathlands.

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Did You Know?

Its elongated mouthparts give it the appearance of having a beak, unique among British moths.