Yellow-winged Darter vs Puriri Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Yellow-winged Darter | Puriri Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sympetrum flaveolum | Aenetus virescens |
| Order | Odonata | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Hepialidae |
| Size | 32-37 mm | 100-150 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Oceania (New Zealand - North Island) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Yellow-winged Darter
A medium-sized darter with extensive saffron-yellow patches at the base of all four wings. Males are red-bodied while females are yellowish.
Did You Know?
It breeds in temporary flood meadows and is a strong migrant that appears in large numbers in good years.
Puriri Moth
New Zealand's largest moth, with a wingspan up to 150 mm. The caterpillars bore into the trunks of native trees, particularly puriri and putaputaweta, creating characteristic U-shaped tunnels. Adults have no functional mouthparts and do not feed.
Did You Know?
Puriri moth larvae can spend up to six years boring through living tree trunks before pupating and emerging as adults that live only a few days.