Lana'i Sandalwood Moth vs Japanese Clouded Yellow
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lana'i Sandalwood Moth | Japanese Clouded Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Iliahia pahulu | Colias erate |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Gracillariidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 5-8 mm wingspan | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania | East Asia, Japan/Korea |
| Conservation | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
Lana'i Sandalwood Moth
A critically endangered moth discovered in 2026, known only from a small grove of roughly 30 sandalwood trees on the island of Lanai. Its larvae mine sandalwood leaves.
Did You Know?
This moth is known from just one grove of 30 trees — if those sandalwood trees disappear, this entire species vanishes with them.
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.
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.