Meadow Brown vs Meal Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Meadow Brown | Meal Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Maniola jurtina | Pyralis farinalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Pyralidae |
| Size | Wingspan 40-55mm | 10-14 mm body; 18-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Indoors |
| Diet | Herbivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Meadow Brown
The most abundant butterfly in Britain, a brown species with a single eyespot on each forewing.
Did You Know?
So common it is often overlooked but plays a crucial role as a pollinator of wildflowers in grasslands.
Meal Moth
A distinctive moth with olive and reddish-brown banded wings that infests stored grain and flour. Larvae live in silken tubes within infested food products.
Did You Know?
Its larval silk tubes can form dense mats in stored grain, binding the product into solid masses.