Ilia Underwing vs Scotch Argus
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ilia Underwing | Scotch Argus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catocala ilia | Erebia aethiops |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 70-95 mm wingspan | 40-48 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf states | Europe, temperate Asia |
| 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.
Scotch Argus
A dark brown butterfly with russet-orange bands containing eyespots, found in northern grasslands and light woodland. It flies in a bouncing manner close to the ground.
Did You Know?
In Britain, it is confined to Scotland and a single colony in the Lake District surviving since the last ice age.