Splendid Ghost Moth vs Kamehameha Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Splendid Ghost Moth Kamehameha Butterfly
Scientific Name Aenetus ligniveren Vanessa tameamea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Hepialidae Nymphalidae
Size 120-160 mm wingspan 60-70 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Gall Makers Sap Feeders
Regions Australia, Oceania Hawaii
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Splendid Ghost Moth

A large, primitive moth with bright green and white patterned wings. Its larvae bore into tree trunks and live inside galleries covered with silk and frass, making them among the longest-lived Australian caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Ghost moth larvae can live inside a tree trunk for up to five years, feeding on the living wood before pupating.

Kamehameha Butterfly

Hawaii's state insect, a beautiful orange-and-black butterfly endemic to the islands. It is one of only two butterfly species native to Hawaii.

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Did You Know?

It was designated Hawaii's state insect in 2009 and is named after the Hawaiian royal dynasty.