Mauritius Lowland Forest Day Moth vs Water-lily Reed Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mauritius Lowland Forest Day Moth Water-lily Reed Beetle
Scientific Name Agarista agricola Donacia simplex
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Noctuidae Chrysomelidae
Size 50-65 mm wingspan 7-9 mm
Habitat Underground Ponds & Lakes
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Mauritius, Indian Ocean Islands Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Mauritius Lowland Forest Day Moth

A day-flying moth with black wings marked by white and orange patches. Found on Mauritius and neighboring Indian Ocean islands.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most moths, it is exclusively active during daylight and rests at night.

Water-lily Reed Beetle

A metallic coppery-bronze aquatic beetle with longitudinal ridges on the elytra. Adults sit on floating leaves of pondweeds and bur-reeds in still or slow-flowing water.

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Did You Know?

Larvae construct a silken cocoon underwater attached to plant roots, filling it with air obtained from the plant's tissues for pupation.