Autumnal Moth vs New Zealand Yellow Admiral
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Autumnal Moth | New Zealand Yellow Admiral |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epirrita autumnata | Vanessa itea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 28-35 mm wingspan | 45-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Gardens |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Siberia | Oceania (New Zealand, also Australia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Autumnal Moth
A grayish-brown moth with faint wavy crosslines on the forewings. It flies in autumn in subarctic birch forests. Periodic outbreaks of its larvae can completely defoliate vast areas of mountain birch forest.
Did You Know?
Outbreaks of this moth in Scandinavian birch forests occur roughly every 10 years and can kill entire mountain birch forests across thousands of hectares.
New Zealand Yellow Admiral
A native New Zealand butterfly closely related to the red admiral but featuring prominent yellow-orange patches on its wings. It is widespread across both islands and is a common garden visitor. Adults are strong fliers and may occasionally migrate.
Did You Know?
Yellow admirals are one of the few New Zealand butterflies that occasionally make trans-Tasman crossings between Australia and New Zealand.