Sallfly vs Old Lady Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sallfly Old Lady Moth
Scientific Name Chloroperla tripunctata Mormo maura
Order Plecoptera Lepidoptera
Family Chloroperlidae Noctuidae
Size 6-10 mm 60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sallfly

A small, bright green stonefly with three distinctive dark spots on its head. It is common in clean European upland streams during spring.

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Did You Know?

The three dark dots on its head give this species its Latin name tripunctata, meaning three-spotted.

Old Lady Moth

A large, sombre dark-brown moth whose wing pattern was thought to resemble a shawl worn by elderly women. It hides in dark places by day, including outbuildings and cellars.

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Did You Know?

It is frequently found roosting in garden sheds and churches during the daytime in summer.