Webbing Clothes Moth vs Large Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Webbing Clothes Moth | Large Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tineola bisselliella | Nymphalis polychloros |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tineidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm body; 12-16 mm wingspan | 54-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Indoors | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (extinct in Britain) |
Webbing Clothes Moth
A small golden-buff moth whose larvae are the primary insect pest of woolen clothing and textiles. Adults are weak fliers that avoid light, preferring dark closets and drawers.
Did You Know?
Unlike most moths, adults actively avoid light and will run rather than fly when disturbed.
Large Tortoiseshell
A large orange butterfly with dark spots resembling a scaled-up small tortoiseshell, once widespread in Britain but now effectively extinct there. It hibernates as an adult in tree hollows.
Did You Know?
Its decline in Britain is thought to be linked to Dutch elm disease destroying its primary food plant.