Japanese Clouded Yellow vs Chinese Character Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Clouded Yellow Chinese Character Moth
Scientific Name Colias erate Cilix glaucata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Drepanidae
Size 40-50 mm wingspan 20-25 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Clouded Yellow

Known as 'monjiro-cho' in Japanese, a common yellow butterfly found in open grasslands. Males are bright yellow while females may be white or yellow. A familiar sight in Japanese fields.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly is so common in Japan that it is one of the first butterflies children learn to identify, and it features in many Japanese children's songs.

Chinese Character Moth

A tiny moth whose resting posture perfectly mimics a bird dropping on a leaf. Its white wings bear a central brown blotch that completes the illusion.

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Did You Know?

Its bird-dropping disguise is so effective that even experienced entomologists can walk past it without noticing.