White Ermine vs Water Veneer Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Ermine Water Veneer Moth
Scientific Name Spilosoma lubricipeda Acentria ephemerella
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Crambidae
Size 34-42 mm wingspan 10-14 mm wingspan (males)
Habitat Farmland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White Ermine

A pure white moth peppered with variable black dots, resembling ermine fur. The number of spots varies greatly between individuals.

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Did You Know?

Some individuals have so few spots they appear nearly pure white, while others are heavily marked.

Water Veneer Moth

A unique aquatic moth whose larvae live entirely underwater in freshwater lakes. Females are often wingless and spend their whole lives below the water surface.

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Did You Know?

Wingless females mate underwater and never leave the lake where they were born.