Ilia Underwing vs Bald-faced Hornet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ilia Underwing | Bald-faced Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catocala ilia | Dolichovespula maculata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 70-95 mm wingspan | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf states | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ilia Underwing
A large moth with bark-patterned gray forewings that conceal bright reddish-orange and black hindwings. When startled, it flashes its colorful hindwings to confuse predators.
Did You Know?
It rests head-down on tree trunks during the day, where its cryptic forewings blend perfectly with oak bark.
Bald-faced Hornet
A large black and white social wasp that builds impressive football-sized paper nests in trees and on buildings. Despite its name, it is not a true hornet but a yellowjacket relative.
Did You Know?
Bald-faced hornets can squirt venom from their stinger into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness and intense pain.