Lichen Moth of New Zealand vs Japanese Clouded Yellow
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lichen Moth of New Zealand | Japanese Clouded Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Declana floccosa | Colias erate |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Pieridae |
| Size | 35-50 mm wingspan | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | East Asia, Japan/Korea |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lichen Moth of New Zealand
A beautifully camouflaged moth endemic to New Zealand that resembles a patch of lichen when resting on bark. Both the wings and body are patterned with greens, greys, and whites that perfectly mimic lichen. It is found in native forests throughout the country.
Did You Know?
This moth's lichen-like camouflage is so convincing that it even has raised scale tufts on its wings that mimic the three-dimensional texture of lichen.
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.