Feathered Thorn vs Cromwell Chafer Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Feathered Thorn | Cromwell Chafer Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colotois pennaria | Prodontria lewisii |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 40-50 mm wingspan | 1-1.5 cm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | New Zealand |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
Feathered Thorn
An autumn-flying moth with warm orange-brown wings and males bearing dramatically feathered antennae. It flies late in the year when few other moths are active.
Did You Know?
Males use their enormous feathered antennae to detect female pheromones on cold autumn nights.
Cromwell Chafer Beetle
A small chafer beetle endemic to a tiny area near Cromwell in Central Otago, New Zealand. Adults are nocturnal and feed on native grasses.
Did You Know?
Its entire habitat is protected within an 81-hectare reserve, one of the smallest nature reserves created for an insect.