Sooty Ringlet vs Rothschild's Silkmoth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sooty Ringlet Rothschild's Silkmoth
Scientific Name Erebia pluto Rothschildia jacobaeae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Saturniidae
Size 36-44 mm wingspan 100-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Alps Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Sooty Ringlet

One of the darkest European butterflies, almost entirely black. It inhabits the highest scree slopes and rock faces in the Alps.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly black wings help absorb solar radiation for warmth in its frigid habitat.

Rothschild's Silkmoth

A large silkmoth with reddish-brown wings featuring bold triangular translucent patches. Each wing also bears a crescent-shaped eyespot.

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Did You Know?

The clear windows in its wings are completely scaleless, which is unusual since moth wings are normally covered in thousands of scales.