Old Lady Moth vs Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Old Lady Moth | Dance Fly with Feathered Legs |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mormo maura | Rhamphomyia sulcata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Empididae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Old Lady Moth
A large, sombre dark-brown moth whose wing pattern was thought to resemble a shawl worn by elderly women. It hides in dark places by day, including outbuildings and cellars.
Did You Know?
It is frequently found roosting in garden sheds and churches during the daytime in summer.
Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
A small dance fly where females have distinctive feathered or pennate leg scales used to attract males. Females inflate their abdomen to appear larger during swarming displays.
Did You Know?
In a rare reversal, females are the ornamented sex, using feathered legs and inflated abdomens to compete for males.