Chinese Character Moth vs Russet-tipped Clubtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Character Moth Russet-tipped Clubtail
Scientific Name Cilix glaucata Stylurus plagiatus
Order Lepidoptera Odonata
Family Drepanidae Gomphidae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 50-58 mm
Habitat Orchards Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Chinese Character Moth

A tiny moth whose resting posture perfectly mimics a bird dropping on a leaf. Its white wings bear a central brown blotch that completes the illusion.

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Did You Know?

Its bird-dropping disguise is so effective that even experienced entomologists can walk past it without noticing.

Russet-tipped Clubtail

A handsome clubtail with orange-brown wingtips and a distinctly widened club-shaped abdomen. It flies late in the season along rivers in the southern US.

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Did You Know?

Its distinctly orange-russet wingtips are unique among North American clubtails.