Nettle Pug vs Scarce Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nettle Pug Scarce Swallowtail
Scientific Name Eupithecia venosata Iphiclides podalirius
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Papilionidae
Size 20-24 mm wingspan Wingspan 64-84mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Heathland
Diet Seed Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
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.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called 'Nettle Pug', it has no association with nettles and feeds entirely on campion.

Scarce Swallowtail

A pale yellow swallowtail butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and long tailed hindwings tipped with blue. It soars elegantly on updrafts.

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Did You Know?

Males gather in large numbers at hilltops in a behavior called hilltopping to increase their chances of finding mates.