Red Admiral vs Cork Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Admiral Cork Moth
Scientific Name Vanessa atalanta Nemapogon cloacella
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Tineidae
Size 56-62 mm wingspan 10-16 mm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Fruit Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, North America, North Africa, Asia Europe, Asia, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Admiral

A bold black butterfly with red-orange bands and white spots, commonly seen in gardens. It is a strong migrant and occasional overwinterer.

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Did You Know?

In autumn it is strongly attracted to fermenting fallen fruit and can become intoxicated on the alcohol.

Cork Moth

A small mottled brown and cream moth that naturally breeds in bracket fungi on trees. It occasionally becomes a pest in wine cellars by boring into corks.

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Did You Know?

Wine collectors dread this moth because its larvae can bore through corks and ruin entire cellars of fine wine.