Fall Webworm vs Scarce Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fall Webworm Scarce Copper
Scientific Name Hyphantria cunea Lycaena virgaureae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Lycaenidae
Size 25-42 mm wingspan 30-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Mountains
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Fall Webworm

A native North American moth whose caterpillars build communal silk webs on tree branches. It has become invasive in Europe and Asia.

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Did You Know?

Unlike tent caterpillars, fall webworm nests enclose the foliage the larvae are feeding on.

Scarce Copper

A brilliant fiery-orange butterfly with black-spotted forewings, the male being one of the most intensely coloured European butterflies. Females are more subdued with brown-spotted orange wings.

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Did You Know?

Males are so brilliantly orange they can be spotted from over 50 metres away in sunlit meadows.