Japanese Comma Butterfly vs Indian Tussock Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Comma Butterfly Indian Tussock Moth
Scientific Name Nymphalis vaualbum Euproctis lunata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Erebidae
Size 55-65 mm wingspan 25-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Farmland
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Comma Butterfly

Known as 'erutateha' in Japanese, a large nymphalid butterfly with deeply scalloped wing edges. The undersides provide excellent bark camouflage. Adults overwinter and can be seen flying on warm winter days.

💡

Did You Know?

This butterfly hibernates through winter as an adult and can sometimes be seen flying on unusually warm days in January and February in Japan.

Indian Tussock Moth

A yellow-brown moth with a distinctive dark crescent marking on the forewings. Its brightly colored, hairy caterpillars are covered in urticating hairs that cause severe skin rashes on contact.

💡

Did You Know?

The urticating hairs of the caterpillar can cause painful welts and dermatitis lasting several days in people who handle them.