Black-waved Flannel Moth vs Alpine Blue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black-waved Flannel Moth Alpine Blue
Scientific Name Megalopyge crispata Albulina orbitulus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Megalopygidae Lycaenidae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan 24-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Alps, Scandinavia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black-waved Flannel Moth

A fluffy white to yellowish moth with wavy dark lines across the forewings. Like its relative the puss moth, its caterpillar is densely hairy and delivers a painful sting.

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Did You Know?

The adult moth's long curly wing scales make it look remarkably like a tiny Persian cat.

Alpine Blue

A small, silvery-blue butterfly found only in high alpine grasslands. Males have pale blue uppersides while females are brownish.

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Did You Know?

It is restricted to a narrow altitudinal band and rarely descends below 1800 meters.