Long-tailed Skipper vs Rosy Underwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-tailed Skipper Rosy Underwing
Scientific Name Urbanus proteus Catocala electa
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Hesperiidae Erebidae
Size 43-55 mm wingspan 65-80 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Southern United States through Central and South America Central and southern Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long-tailed Skipper

A striking skipper with iridescent blue-green body and wing bases and long tail-like projections on the hindwings. It is a strong flier and occasional migrant.

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Did You Know?

Known as the bean leaf roller because the caterpillar folds bean leaves into tubular shelters.

Rosy Underwing

A large moth with camouflaged grey-brown forewings hiding vivid rosy-pink and black hindwings. When disturbed, the flash of pink confuses predators as it drops from its perch.

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Did You Know?

Like all underwing moths, it uses a startle display, flashing its bright hindwings then vanishing as it re-covers them.