Geranium Bronze vs Helena Gum Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Geranium Bronze | Helena Gum Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacyreus marshalli | Opodiphthera helena |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 18-23 mm wingspan | 90-120 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Native to South Africa; invasive in Mediterranean Europe | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Geranium Bronze
A small dull brown butterfly with a distinctive white fringe and thin tail that has become a major pest of cultivated geraniums in Europe. Its larvae bore into geranium buds and stems.
Did You Know?
Since its accidental introduction to Majorca in 1990, it has spread across most of southern Europe.
Helena Gum Moth
A beautiful saturniid moth with pinkish-brown wings marked with bold eyespots. It is found in eucalyptus forests of southeastern Australia and is closely related to the Emperor Gum Moth.
Did You Know?
Like all saturniid moths, adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage.