Brown Hairstreak vs Ghost Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown Hairstreak | Ghost Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thecla betulae | Hepialus humuli |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Hepialidae |
| Size | 36-40 mm wingspan | 44-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe, western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern (declining in parts of range) | Least Concern |
Brown Hairstreak
A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.
Did You Know?
Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.
Ghost Moth
Males are ghostly white and perform an eerie hovering dance over grassland at dusk to attract brownish females. This primitive moth has very short antennae and no functional mouthparts.
Did You Know?
Pendulum-like swaying of white males above grass at twilight gives them a genuinely ghostly appearance.