Hercules Moth of South America vs Scarce Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hercules Moth of South America | Scarce Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Copaxa multifenestrata | Lycaena virgaureae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 100-130 mm wingspan | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hercules Moth of South America
A large silk moth with brown wings bearing multiple translucent windows that give it its species name. The wing margins are scalloped and the body is densely furred. It is found in Andean cloud forests where adults fly at night and are attracted to lights.
Did You Know?
The transparent windows in its wings may serve to break up the moth's silhouette, confusing bat echolocation and helping it avoid predation.
Scarce Copper
A brilliant fiery-orange butterfly with black-spotted forewings, the male being one of the most intensely coloured European butterflies. Females are more subdued with brown-spotted orange wings.
Did You Know?
Males are so brilliantly orange they can be spotted from over 50 metres away in sunlit meadows.