Pale Tussock vs Ilia Underwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale Tussock | Ilia Underwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calliteara pudibunda | Catocala ilia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 40-65 mm wingspan | 70-95 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf states |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pale Tussock
A fluffy grey-white moth with distinctively feathered legs held forward at rest. Its caterpillar is spectacular, with dense yellow or green hair tufts and a red tail tuft.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's bright hair tufts are irritating to skin and were once used in practical jokes.
Ilia Underwing
A large moth with bark-patterned gray forewings that conceal bright reddish-orange and black hindwings. When startled, it flashes its colorful hindwings to confuse predators.
Did You Know?
It rests head-down on tree trunks during the day, where its cryptic forewings blend perfectly with oak bark.