Pale Tussock vs Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale Tussock | Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calliteara pudibunda | Atlantea tulita |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 40-65 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Puerto Rico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly
A small endangered butterfly endemic to Puerto Rico with orange and black checkered wings. It inhabits moist limestone forests in the northern karst region.
Did You Know?
Fewer than a few hundred individuals are believed to remain in the wild.