Figure of Eight Moth vs Ocean Strider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Figure of Eight Moth | Ocean Strider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diloba caeruleocephala | Halobates micans |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Gerridae |
| Size | 35-40 mm wingspan | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Figure of Eight Moth
Named for the figure-of-eight marking on its grey forewing, this autumn-flying moth is often found at ivy blossom. Its caterpillar is blue-grey with yellow stripes.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few moths that flies and breeds in late autumn when most species have already ended their season.
Ocean Strider
A remarkable open-ocean water strider that spends its entire life on the surface of tropical seas. It is one of the very few insects adapted to a fully marine existence. It lays eggs on floating debris including feathers and seaweed.
Did You Know?
It is one of the only insects to have colonized the open ocean and can be found thousands of kilometers from the nearest land, surviving storms and wave action.