Herald Moth vs Canary Islands Admiral Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Herald Moth Canary Islands Admiral Butterfly
Scientific Name Scoliopteryx libatrix Vanessa vulcania
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Nymphalidae
Size 40-46 mm wingspan 55-65 mm wingspan
Habitat Caves Farmland
Diet Herbivores Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, North America Canary Islands, Madeira
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Herald Moth

A distinctive moth with scalloped wing edges and orange patches that hibernates in caves, cellars, and outbuildings. One of the first moths to be seen each spring. Adults resemble dead leaves.

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Did You Know?

Often hibernates in caves alongside bats, and can survive freezing temperatures during winter.

Canary Islands Admiral Butterfly

An endemic butterfly closely related to the red admiral, found in the Canary Islands and Madeira. It has darker coloring with brighter orange-red bands.

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Did You Know?

It was long considered a subspecies of the red admiral before being elevated to full species status.