Peacock Butterfly vs Light Brown Apple Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Peacock Butterfly Light Brown Apple Moth
Scientific Name Aglais io Epiphyas postvittana
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Tortricidae
Size 50-55 mm wingspan 16-25 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Australia (native), New Zealand, Europe, North America (invasive)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Peacock Butterfly

Reddish-brown wings with four large blue and yellow eyespots resembling peacock feathers. Undersides are nearly black, providing camouflage when at rest.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, it rapidly opens its wings to flash its eyespots while making a hissing sound.

Light Brown Apple Moth

A small variable brown moth native to Australia that has invaded several continents. It feeds on over 500 plant species, making it an exceptionally polyphagous pest.

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Did You Know?

It holds the record for the broadest known host-plant range of any tortricid moth.