Small Apollo vs Ear Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Apollo Ear Moth
Scientific Name Parnassius phoebus Amphipoea oculea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Noctuidae
Size 50-60 mm wingspan 24-32 mm wingspan
Habitat Meadows Wetlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Central Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Apollo

A high-altitude alpine butterfly with translucent white wings bearing small red and black spots. It flies weakly over alpine meadows and scree slopes above the treeline.

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Did You Know?

It only occurs above the treeline in the Alps and is one of Europe's highest-altitude butterflies.

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.