Io Moth vs Garden Grass-veneer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Io Moth	Garden Grass-veneer
Scientific Name	Automeris io	Chrysoteuchia culmella
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Saturniidae	Crambidae
Size	63-88 mm wingspan	20-26 mm wingspan
Habitat	Meadows	Gardens
Diet	Predators	Root Feeders
Regions	North America	Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Io Moth

Named after Io from Greek mythology. Hindwings display large eyespots that flash open to startle predators. Caterpillars are covered in urticating spines that cause a painful sting.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, the Io moth suddenly flashes open its hindwings to reveal two enormous eyespots — the sudden appearance of "eyes" startles predators into backing off.

Garden Grass-veneer

A small straw-colored moth with a silvery sheen and prominent labial palps forming a snout. It is one of the commonest grass moths in European lawns.

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Did You Know?

Hundreds can be flushed from a single patch of lawn when walking through grass at dusk.