New Zealand Magpie Moth vs Cliff Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Magpie Moth | Cliff Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nyctemera annulata | Cicindela germanica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Europe, from Britain to Central Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
New Zealand Magpie Moth
A distinctive day-flying moth endemic to New Zealand, with black and white spotted wings. It is commonly seen fluttering in gardens and bush edges, where its hairy black caterpillars feed on ragwort and groundsel. The bold pattern warns predators of its distastefulness.
Did You Know?
The magpie moth's caterpillars feed on poisonous ragwort plants and store the toxins in their body, making both the caterpillar and adult moth toxic to predators.
Cliff Tiger Beetle
A small, dark green tiger beetle with faint pale markings found on exposed clay and chalk slopes. It has declined severely across its European range due to habitat loss.
Did You Know?
In Britain, it is among the rarest beetles, known from only a handful of exposed cliff sites in Wales and the English Midlands.