Zebra Longwing vs Currant Clearwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zebra Longwing | Currant Clearwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliconius charithonia | Synanthedon tipuliformis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Sesiidae |
| Size | 72-100 mm wingspan | 17-22 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America, South America | Europe, temperate Asia (introduced worldwide) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Zebra Longwing
A neotropical butterfly with elongated jet-black wings bearing bold pale yellow stripes. It is unusual among butterflies for feeding on pollen in addition to nectar.
Did You Know?
This butterfly can digest pollen by dissolving it with saliva on its proboscis, providing amino acids that allow adults to live six months or longer.
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.