Orange Swift Moth vs Sooty Ringlet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Orange Swift Moth Sooty Ringlet
Scientific Name Triodia sylvina Erebia pluto
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Hepialidae Nymphalidae
Size 28–48 mm wingspan 36-44 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Mountains
Diet Root Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Alps
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Orange Swift Moth

A ghost moth whose larvae bore into the roots of various trees and herbaceous plants. Males have bright orange forewings with pale markings.

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Did You Know?

Males perform a slow pendulum-like hovering display at dusk to attract females with their scent glands.

Sooty Ringlet

One of the darkest European butterflies, almost entirely black. It inhabits the highest scree slopes and rock faces in the Alps.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly black wings help absorb solar radiation for warmth in its frigid habitat.