Lana'i Sandalwood Moth vs Ringed China-mark Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lana'i Sandalwood Moth Ringed China-mark Moth
Scientific Name Iliahia pahulu Parapoynx stratiotata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Gracillariidae Crambidae
Size 5-8 mm wingspan 24-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Oceania Europe, Western Asia
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.

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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.

Ringed China-mark Moth

A pretty white moth with brown ringed markings, closely associated with aquatic habitats. Its caterpillars are fully aquatic with functional gills.

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Did You Know?

The larvae breathe underwater using gill-like filaments along their abdomen.