Argent and Sable Moth vs Swallow Prominent

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Argent and Sable Moth Swallow Prominent
Scientific Name Rheumaptera hastata Pheosia tremula
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Notodontidae
Size 28-34 mm wingspan Wingspan 44-60mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Northern Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Argent and Sable Moth

A strikingly patterned black and white day-flying moth. Found on moorland and in birch woodland. Has declined severely in southern parts of its range. Named from heraldic terms.

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Did You Know?

Named using heraldic terms: 'argent' for silver/white and 'sable' for black, describing its bold pattern.

Swallow Prominent

A pale grey-white moth with a distinctive dark wedge-shaped mark along the inner edge of each forewing. It has a deeply toothed trailing wing edge.

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Did You Know?

Its name comes from the deeply notched trailing edge of the hindwings which gives them a swallow-tail like appearance.