Nettle Pug vs Currant Clearwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Nettle Pug | Currant Clearwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupithecia venosata | Synanthedon tipuliformis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Sesiidae |
| Size | 20-24 mm wingspan | 17-22 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, temperate Asia (introduced worldwide) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Despite being called 'Nettle Pug', it has no association with nettles and feeds entirely on campion.
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.