Mother of Pearl Moth vs Red-bordered Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mother of Pearl Moth | Red-bordered Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Patania ruralis | Caria ino |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 28-35 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America | South Texas through Mexico and Central America |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.
Red-bordered Metalmark
A dark metalmark butterfly with bright red-orange borders along the wing edges and metallic blue-green scaling at the wing bases. It perches with wings spread flat.
Did You Know?
Males are fiercely territorial, perching on sunlit leaf surfaces and darting out at any passing insect.