Mother Shipton vs Common Water Penny
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mother Shipton | Common Water Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Euclidia mi | Psephenus herricki |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Psephenidae |
| Size | 30-35 mm wingspan | 4-6 mm (adults); 6-10 mm (larvae) |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mother Shipton
A day-flying moth whose forewing markings resemble the profile of a witch's face. It is named after the famous English prophetess Mother Shipton.
Did You Know?
The wing pattern clearly shows a hooked nose, chin, and eye in profile, resembling a caricature of a crone.
Common Water Penny
A small aquatic beetle whose larvae are flattened and round like a copper penny, clinging to rocks in fast streams. Adults are terrestrial and short-lived.
Did You Know?
Larvae are so flat they can cling to rocks in torrential currents that would wash away most other insects.