Mother of Pearl Moth vs Naga Nawab Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mother of Pearl Moth Naga Nawab Butterfly
Scientific Name Patania ruralis Polyura nepenthes
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crambidae Nymphalidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan Wingspan 70-90 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Forests
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America India, Nepal, Myanmar, China
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mother of Pearl Moth

A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.

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Did You Know?

Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.

Naga Nawab Butterfly

A powerful fast-flying butterfly with green-washed wings and short tails on the hindwings. It is drawn to rotting fruit and animal dung rather than flowers.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most butterflies, it never visits flowers and feeds exclusively on fermenting organic matter.