Dun-bar vs Rothschild's Silkmoth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dun-bar Rothschild's Silkmoth
Scientific Name Cosmia trapezina Rothschildia jacobaeae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae Saturniidae
Size 28-34 mm wingspan 100-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Dun-bar

A late summer noctuid moth whose caterpillars are partly predatory, eating other moth larvae sharing their tree. Variable brown coloration with a distinctive pale bar.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars are cannibalistic and predatory, readily consuming other moth larvae they encounter on leaves.

Rothschild's Silkmoth

A large silkmoth with reddish-brown wings featuring bold triangular translucent patches. Each wing also bears a crescent-shaped eyespot.

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Did You Know?

The clear windows in its wings are completely scaleless, which is unusual since moth wings are normally covered in thousands of scales.