Rosy Underwing vs Vampire Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rosy Underwing Vampire Moth
Scientific Name Catocala electa Calyptra thalictri
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Erebidae
Size 65-80 mm wingspan Wingspan 40-50mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Blood Feeders
Regions Central and southern Europe, temperate Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rosy Underwing

A large moth with camouflaged grey-brown forewings hiding vivid rosy-pink and black hindwings. When disturbed, the flash of pink confuses predators as it drops from its perch.

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Did You Know?

Like all underwing moths, it uses a startle display, flashing its bright hindwings then vanishing as it re-covers them.

Vampire Moth

A dull grey-brown moth with a uniquely evolved proboscis capable of piercing mammalian skin. Males occasionally drink blood for sodium.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the only moths known to drink blood from mammals including humans using its hardened barbed proboscis.