Large Case Moth vs Brown Hairstreak
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Case Moth | Brown Hairstreak |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metura elongatus | Thecla betulae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Psychidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | Case up to 15 cm long; male moth 2-3 cm wingspan | 36-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Australia | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (declining in parts of range) |
Large Case Moth
A bagworm moth whose larva builds a distinctive silk case covered in sticks and leaves. The wingless female never leaves her case, while males are small dark moths.
Did You Know?
The wingless, legless adult female lives and dies inside her larval case after mating.
Brown Hairstreak
A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.
Did You Know?
Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.