Mottled Umber Moth vs Japanese Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mottled Umber Moth Japanese Copper
Scientific Name Erannis defoliaria Lycaena phlaeas daimio
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Lycaenidae
Size 35-45 mm wingspan (males) 22-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Underground
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mottled Umber Moth

A variably patterned brown moth where males range from pale to almost black. Females are completely wingless and resemble small spiders.

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Did You Know?

Wingless females attract mates by releasing pheromones from the trunk of their host tree.

Japanese Copper

The Japanese subspecies of the small copper butterfly, known as 'beni-shijimi.' A small but brilliantly colored butterfly with fiery orange-copper wings. One of the most common butterflies in Japan.

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Did You Know?

Male small coppers are aggressively territorial and will challenge insects much larger than themselves, including large butterflies and dragonflies.