Small Magpie Moth vs Buff Ermine Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Magpie Moth | Buff Ermine Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anania hortulata | Spilosoma lutea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 26-30 mm wingspan | 34-42 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Magpie Moth
A pretty white moth with black spots and a yellow head. Despite its name, it is a crambid rather than a geometrid like the true Magpie Moth.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar lives inside a rolled leaf shelter that it spins shut with silk.
Buff Ermine Moth
A creamy-buff moth with scattered dark spots and a distinctive dark streak along the forewing costa. It closely resembles the White Ermine but has warmer tones.
Did You Know?
Unlike many ermine moths, it has a conspicuous dark diagonal streak near the wing tip.