Riband Wave Moth vs Flat Silphid Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Riband Wave Moth Flat Silphid Beetle
Scientific Name Idaea aversata Silpha tristis
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Geometridae Silphidae
Size 26-33 mm wingspan 10-15 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Riband Wave Moth

A small greyish moth occurring in both banded and plain forms. The banded form has a conspicuous dark central band across the forewings.

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Did You Know?

Both the banded and plain forms can emerge from the same brood of eggs.

Flat Silphid Beetle

A flattened, all-black silphid beetle with three raised ridges on each wing case. It feeds on snails and caterpillars rather than carrion.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most silphids, it has shifted entirely to predation and is rarely found on carrion at all.