Polyphemus Moth vs White-letter Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Polyphemus Moth White-letter Hairstreak
Scientific Name Antheraea polyphemus Satyrium w-album
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Lycaenidae
Size Wingspan 100-150mm Wingspan 26-30mm
Habitat Woodlands Hedgerows
Diet Herbivores Seed Feeders
Regions North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

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.

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.