Transparent Burnet Moth vs Peacock Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Transparent Burnet Moth Peacock Butterfly
Scientific Name Methona confusa Aglais io
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Nymphalidae
Size 55-65 mm wingspan 50-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia) Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Transparent Burnet Moth

A delicate butterfly with almost entirely transparent wings bordered by dark brown and orange margins. It is part of a mimicry complex involving several toxic species. Its slow, floating flight and transparency make it difficult for predators to track.

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Did You Know?

Its transparent wings make it extremely difficult for birds to pursue in flight because predators lose visual track of the nearly invisible insect against complex backgrounds.

Peacock Butterfly

Reddish-brown wings with four large blue and yellow eyespots resembling peacock feathers. Undersides are nearly black, providing camouflage when at rest.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, it rapidly opens its wings to flash its eyespots while making a hissing sound.