Blue-frosted Banner vs Vampire Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue-frosted Banner | Vampire Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catonephele numilia | Calyptra thalictri |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | Wingspan 40-50mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| 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.
Vampire Moth
A dull grey-brown moth with a uniquely evolved proboscis capable of piercing mammalian skin. Males occasionally drink blood for sodium.
Did You Know?
It is one of the only moths known to drink blood from mammals including humans using its hardened barbed proboscis.