White Plume Moth vs Tawny Emperor
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | White Plume Moth | Tawny Emperor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophorus pentadactyla | Asterocampa clyton |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pterophoridae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 25-30 mm wingspan | 40-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern and Central North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
White Plume Moth
A delicate pure white moth with deeply divided wings that split into feather-like plumes. Often seen resting on walls at night with wings held out like a letter T. Caterpillars feed on hedge bindweed.
Did You Know?
Its wings are divided into five feather-like plumes on each side, giving it one of the most unusual wing forms of any moth.
Tawny Emperor
A warm tawny-brown butterfly with dark bars and a row of small eyespots on the hindwing. Unlike most butterflies, it rarely visits flowers, preferring tree sap and rotting fruit.
Did You Know?
It is strongly attracted to human perspiration and will readily land on sweaty hikers.