Chinese Moon Moth vs Common Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Moon Moth Common Darter
Scientific Name Actias dubernardi Sympetrum striolatum
Order Lepidoptera Odonata
Family Saturniidae Libellulidae
Size 90-120 mm 35-44 mm body length
Habitat Mountains Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Central China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou) Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Chinese Moon Moth

A rare and exquisitely beautiful moon moth with pink-tinged green wings and extraordinarily long, curling hindwing tails. Males are more deeply pink-washed than the green females.

💡

Did You Know?

Actias dubernardi is one of the only moon moths whose larvae feed on conifers rather than broadleaf trees, an unusual dietary specialization.

Common Darter

Europe's most abundant dragonfly, with mature males turning bright orange-red. It is often the last dragonfly flying in autumn, sometimes into November.

💡

Did You Know?

Mating pairs lay eggs by repeatedly dipping the female's abdomen into the water while flying in tandem.