Japanese Lunar Moth vs Sulphur Mayfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Lunar Moth | Sulphur Mayfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Actias aliena | Ephemerella dorothea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Ephemeroptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Ephemerellidae |
| Size | 80-120 mm wingspan | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Lunar Moth
A beautiful pale green moon moth found in Japan, known as 'o-mizuao.' Features long, elegant tail streamers on the hindwings. Closely related to the Luna moth of North America.
Did You Know?
The long tail streamers on the hindwings create acoustic interference that confuses bat echolocation, helping the moth evade predation.
Sulphur Mayfly
A small pale yellow mayfly that produces reliable evening hatches on eastern North American streams. One of the most important species for fly anglers.
Did You Know?
Sulphur mayfly hatches are so predictable in timing that experienced anglers can arrive at the stream within minutes of the first emergence.