Samar Leaf Insect vs Mother of Pearl Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Samar Leaf Insect Mother of Pearl Moth
Scientific Name Phyllium samarense Patania ruralis
Order Phasmatodea Lepidoptera
Family Phylliidae Crambidae
Size 5-7 cm 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Hedgerows
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Philippines (Samar Island) Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Samar Leaf Insect

A leaf insect found on Samar Island in the eastern Philippines. It was described as part of ongoing surveys of Philippine phasmid diversity.

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Did You Know?

Samar Island's dense, largely unexplored forests likely harbor additional undiscovered phasmid species.

Mother of Pearl Moth

A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.

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Did You Know?

Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.