Australian Painted Lady vs Promethea Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Painted Lady Promethea Moth
Scientific Name Vanessa kershawi Callosamia promethea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Saturniidae
Size 4-5 cm wingspan Wingspan 75-95mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia, New Zealand North America
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.

Promethea Moth

A large silk moth with strong sexual dimorphism. Males are dark with tan margins while females are reddish-brown with lighter markings.

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Did You Know?

Males fly during the afternoon which is unusual for silk moths and they are sometimes mistaken for dark-colored swallowtail butterflies.