Scarce Umber Moth vs New Zealand Red Admiral

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarce Umber Moth New Zealand Red Admiral
Scientific Name Agriopis aurantiaria Vanessa gonerilla
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Nymphalidae
Size 35-40 mm wingspan (males) 50-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Oceania (New Zealand)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scarce Umber Moth

An autumn-flying moth with warm orange-brown wings marked with darker speckles. Females are wingless and crawl up tree trunks to await males.

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Did You Know?

It emerges so late in autumn that it sometimes flies in early snowfall.

New Zealand Red Admiral

An endemic New Zealand butterfly with striking red and black wing patterns. It is found throughout both main islands in bush margins and gardens. The larvae feed exclusively on native stinging nettle (ongaonga).

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Did You Know?

Unlike most butterflies, the New Zealand red admiral overwinters as an adult and can sometimes be seen flying on warm winter days.