Ghost Moth vs Mother of Pearl Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ghost Moth | Mother of Pearl Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hepialus humuli | Patania ruralis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 44-65 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ghost Moth
Males are ghostly white and perform an eerie hovering dance over grassland at dusk to attract brownish females. This primitive moth has very short antennae and no functional mouthparts.
Did You Know?
Pendulum-like swaying of white males above grass at twilight gives them a genuinely ghostly appearance.
Mother of Pearl Moth
A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.
Did You Know?
Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.