Small Ranunculus vs Scalloped Hook-tip
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Ranunculus | Scalloped Hook-tip |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hecatera dysodea | Falcaria lacertinaria |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Drepanidae |
| Size | 30-36 mm wingspan | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia, North Africa | Europe, temperate Asia, Japan |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Ranunculus
A subtly attractive moth with pale grey-green wings marked with intricate darker patterns. It was once rare in Britain but has expanded its range northward in recent decades.
Did You Know?
It is one of few moths whose caterpillars feed on cultivated lettuce, making it an occasional garden pest.
Scalloped Hook-tip
A small moth with strongly curved wingtips and scalloped wing margins that rests resembling a dead leaf. Its mottled brown and grey colouring completes the disguise.
Did You Know?
The hooked wing tips are unique among moth families and give the Drepanidae their alternative name, hook-tips.