Lana'i Sandalwood Moth vs Water-lily Reed Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lana'i Sandalwood Moth | Water-lily Reed Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Iliahia pahulu | Donacia simplex |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Gracillariidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm wingspan | 7-9 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe, Asia, North America |
| 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.
Water-lily Reed Beetle
A metallic coppery-bronze aquatic beetle with longitudinal ridges on the elytra. Adults sit on floating leaves of pondweeds and bur-reeds in still or slow-flowing water.
Did You Know?
Larvae construct a silken cocoon underwater attached to plant roots, filling it with air obtained from the plant's tissues for pupation.