Poplar Admiral vs Waterlily Borer Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Poplar Admiral Waterlily Borer Moth
Scientific Name Limenitis populi Elophila gyralis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Crambidae
Size 70-90 mm wingspan 18-24 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Dung Feeders Herbivores
Regions Central and northern Europe, temperate Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern (declining in western Europe) Least Concern

Poplar Admiral

Europe's largest nymphalid butterfly with broad dark wings bearing white bands and orange submarginal crescents. It is shy and rarely descends from the forest canopy.

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Did You Know?

It is so difficult to observe that many lepidopterists travel years before seeing one in the wild.

Waterlily Borer Moth

A small pale brown moth with wavy dark lines across its wings. Its larvae are aquatic, living underwater in cases made from fragments of waterlily leaves.

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Did You Know?

The larvae breathe underwater using modified gills and never surface until they are ready to pupate.