Blue-frosted Banner vs Buff Ermine Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue-frosted Banner | Buff Ermine Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catonephele numilia | Spilosoma lutea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 34-42 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela) | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue-frosted Banner
A sexually dimorphic butterfly where males are velvety black with bright orange bands and females are dark brown with yellow spots. The sexes look so different they were originally described as separate species. It is common in forest gaps and along watercourses.
Did You Know?
Males and females look so different that they were classified as separate species for over a century until breeding experiments revealed their true identity.
Buff Ermine Moth
A creamy-buff moth with scattered dark spots and a distinctive dark streak along the forewing costa. It closely resembles the White Ermine but has warmer tones.
Did You Know?
Unlike many ermine moths, it has a conspicuous dark diagonal streak near the wing tip.