Columbia Silk Moth vs Oregon Silverspot Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Columbia Silk Moth | Oregon Silverspot Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyalophora columbia | Speyeria zerene hippolyta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 90-130 mm wingspan | 5-6 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Northern United States and Canada, particularly the Great Lakes region | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Columbia Silk Moth
A large reddish-brown silk moth closely related to the cecropia moth but found in northern bog habitats. Its cocoon is spun on larch branches rather than broad-leaved trees.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few silk moths adapted to boreal wetlands, where its larvae specialize on conifer needles instead of hardwood leaves.
Oregon Silverspot Butterfly
A medium-sized fritillary butterfly with bright silver spots on its hindwing undersides. It inhabits coastal grasslands from Washington to northern California.
Did You Know?
Its larvae feed exclusively on early blue violet plants that grow in wind-swept coastal prairies.