White Underwing vs African Sapphire
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | White Underwing | African Sapphire |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catocala relicta | Iolaus iulus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 70-85 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Northern United States and southern Canada | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
White Underwing
A striking underwing moth with white and black banded forewings that mimics birch bark. Its hindwings are black with broad white bands.
Did You Know?
It is one of the only underwing moths with white rather than colored hindwings, matching the white bark of its birch tree hosts.
African Sapphire
Brilliant sapphire-blue upper wings with a dark margin and twin tails on hindwings. Found in African woodlands and forest edges.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed exclusively inside mistletoe fruits, making them almost invisible to predators.