Helicopter Metalmark vs Snout Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Helicopter Metalmark	Snout Moth
Scientific Name	Chorinea octauius	Vitessa suradeva
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Riodinidae	Pyralidae
Size	35-45 mm wingspan	40-50 mm wingspan
Habitat	Forests	Forests
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Herbivores
Regions	South America	Southeast Asia
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Helicopter Metalmark

Transparent forewings with red and black hindwing tails that twirl in flight. The spinning tails create a helicopter-like effect.

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Did You Know?

The elongated hindwing tails rotate during flight, resembling helicopter blades.

Snout Moth

A large pyralid moth from Southeast Asia and New Guinea whose caterpillars spin webs on young leaves of poisonous shrubs. Adults have elongated labial palps forming a 'snout'.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars can tolerate feeding on toxic plants that would kill most other moth species.