Polyphemus Moth vs Small Heath Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Polyphemus Moth Small Heath Butterfly
Scientific Name Antheraea polyphemus Coenonympha pamphilus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Nymphalidae
Size Wingspan 100-150mm 26-33 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Polyphemus Moth

A large tan moth with prominent purple-ringed eyespots on its hindwings. It is named after the cyclops Polyphemus from Greek mythology.

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Did You Know?

A single caterpillar can eat 86000 times its weight in food in the two months before it pupates.

Small Heath Butterfly

A small, plain orange-brown butterfly that always rests with its wings closed. It is one of the most widespread grassland butterflies in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It never opens its wings when at rest, always keeping the underwing eyespot visible as a predator deflection.