Tawny-edged Skipper vs Australian Magpie Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tawny-edged Skipper | Australian Magpie Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polites themistocles | Nyctemera amica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 20-27 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern and Central North America | Australia, New Zealand |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tawny-edged Skipper
A small brown skipper with a warm orange-tawny leading edge on the forewing. It is one of the most common grass skippers in eastern North America but is easily overlooked.
Did You Know?
It is named after the ancient Athenian general Themistocles, following a tradition of naming skippers after classical figures.
Australian Magpie Moth
A striking day-flying black and white moth from Australasia. Caterpillars feed on groundsel and ragwort, sequestering toxic alkaloids. The bold pattern warns predators of its toxicity.
Did You Know?
Its bold black and white pattern serves as a warning to predators that it contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.