Australian Painted Lady vs Drinker Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Painted Lady Drinker Moth
Scientific Name Vanessa kershawi Euthrix potatoria
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lasiocampidae
Size 4-5 cm wingspan Wingspan 45-65mm
Habitat Underground Wetlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia, New Zealand Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Painted Lady

An orange, black, and white butterfly closely related to the cosmopolitan painted lady. It undertakes seasonal migrations across southeastern Australia.

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Did You Know?

Millions migrate northward in autumn in one of Australia's most impressive insect movements.

Drinker Moth

A large golden-brown moth named because its caterpillar was observed drinking drops of dew from grass blades.

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Did You Know?

Named in the 18th century by a naturalist who repeatedly observed caterpillars carefully drinking water droplets from grass.