Light Emerald vs Smoky Wainscot
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Light Emerald | Smoky Wainscot |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Campaea margaritaria | Mythimna impura |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 40-52 mm wingspan | 28-34 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Light Emerald
A delicate pale green moth with fine white cross-lines that fades to white as it ages. It is one of the most commonly encountered emerald moths at light traps.
Did You Know?
Its green pigment is chemically unstable and bleaches completely in museum specimens within months.
Smoky Wainscot
A dull brownish wainscot moth extremely common in grasslands. Larvae feed on various grass species. Often confused with the similar Common Wainscot.
Did You Know?
So similar to the Common Wainscot that reliable identification often requires examination of genitalia.