Red Underwing vs Autumnal Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red Underwing | Autumnal Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catocala nupta | Epirrita autumnata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Geometridae |
| Size | Wingspan 70-82mm | 28-35 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Red Underwing
A large moth with bark-like grey forewings and vivid red and black banded hindwings flashed as a startle defense.
Did You Know?
When disturbed from tree bark it flashes its bright red hindwings creating a startle effect then vanishes by closing them.
Autumnal Moth
A grayish-brown moth with faint wavy crosslines on the forewings. It flies in autumn in subarctic birch forests. Periodic outbreaks of its larvae can completely defoliate vast areas of mountain birch forest.
Did You Know?
Outbreaks of this moth in Scandinavian birch forests occur roughly every 10 years and can kill entire mountain birch forests across thousands of hectares.