Long-winged Fungus Gnat vs Polyphemus Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-winged Fungus Gnat | Polyphemus Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macrocera stigma | Antheraea polyphemus |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Mycetophilidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | Wingspan 100-150mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-winged Fungus Gnat
A delicate fungus gnat with unusually long antennae and slender patterned wings. It is often found in shaded damp woodland where it hunts small insects.
Did You Know?
Some Macrocera species have bioluminescent larvae, though less spectacularly than the cave glowworms.
Polyphemus Moth
A large tan moth with prominent purple-ringed eyespots on its hindwings. It is named after the cyclops Polyphemus from Greek mythology.
Did You Know?
A single caterpillar can eat 86000 times its weight in food in the two months before it pupates.