Magpie Moth vs Saunders' Case Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Magpie Moth | Saunders' Case Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Abraxas grossulariata | Metura saundersi |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Psychidae |
| Size | 38-48 mm wingspan | Case up to 8 cm long; male moth 1.5-2 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Magpie Moth
A conspicuous white moth with bold black spots and an orange-yellow band across the wings. It played a historic role in the discovery of sex-linked inheritance.
Did You Know?
Leonard Doncaster's experiments on this moth in 1906 provided early evidence for sex-linked genetics.
Saunders' Case Moth
A smaller relative of the large case moth that constructs a tapering case of silk and plant debris. Males are dark, short-lived moths while females remain in their cases.
Did You Know?
Each case is individually crafted and can take over a year to fully construct.