Achilles Morpho vs Small Magpie Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Achilles Morpho Small Magpie Moth
Scientific Name Morpho achilles Anania hortulata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Crambidae
Size 95-120 mm wingspan 26-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Achilles Morpho

A medium-sized morpho with a bright blue band across dark brown-black wings. It flies rapidly through the forest understory in a distinctive bobbing pattern.

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Did You Know?

Its blue band appears to flash on and off as it flies, because the brown undersides show with each wingbeat.

Small Magpie Moth

A pretty white moth with black spots and a yellow head. Despite its name, it is a crambid rather than a geometrid like the true Magpie Moth.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar lives inside a rolled leaf shelter that it spins shut with silk.