Ilia Underwing vs Cocktail Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ilia Underwing | Cocktail Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catocala ilia | Crematogaster peringueyi |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 70-95 mm wingspan | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf states | Southern Africa |
| 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.
Cocktail Ant
A small dark ant that holds its heart-shaped gaster raised above its body like a flag. It nests in dead wood and under bark.
Did You Know?
When alarmed, they raise their abdomen over their back like a scorpion and exude a drop of repellent venom.