Waterlily Borer Moth vs Square-spot Rustic
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Waterlily Borer Moth | Square-spot Rustic |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Elophila gyralis | Xestia xanthographa |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm wingspan | 32-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Gardens |
| Diet | Herbivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Waterlily Borer Moth
A small pale brown moth with wavy dark lines across its wings. Its larvae are aquatic, living underwater in cases made from fragments of waterlily leaves.
Did You Know?
The larvae breathe underwater using modified gills and never surface until they are ready to pupate.
Square-spot Rustic
An extremely common autumn-flying moth with a diagnostic square stigma on the forewing. One of the most abundant moths in British gardens. Larvae feed on grasses.
Did You Know?
Often the single most abundant moth species in garden moth traps during September.