Scarce Swallowtail vs Ear Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarce Swallowtail Ear Moth
Scientific Name Iphiclides podalirius Amphipoea oculea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Noctuidae
Size Wingspan 64-84mm 24-32 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Wetlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scarce Swallowtail

A pale yellow swallowtail butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and long tailed hindwings tipped with blue. It soars elegantly on updrafts.

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Did You Know?

Males gather in large numbers at hilltops in a behavior called hilltopping to increase their chances of finding mates.

Ear Moth

A small brown moth whose larvae bore inside grass and rush stems. Very variable in appearance. Part of a species complex requiring dissection for certain identification.

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Did You Know?

Named for its ear-shaped wing stigma, though the marking is so variable it's often hard to see.