Fox Moth vs Silver-spotted Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fox Moth Silver-spotted Skipper
Scientific Name Macrothylacia rubi Hesperia comma
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lasiocampidae Hesperiidae
Size Wingspan 50-65mm 28-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, temperate Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fox Moth

A richly colored russet-brown moth. The large hairy black caterpillar is commonly seen crossing paths in autumn.

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Did You Know?

The large dark caterpillar is one of the most commonly seen caterpillars in autumn as it searches for a hibernation site.

Silver-spotted Skipper

A small golden-brown butterfly with distinctive silvery spots on the green underside of its hindwings. It is restricted to short, sun-baked chalk grassland.

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Did You Know?

It requires turf shorter than 5 cm and bare ground patches warmed by the sun for egg-laying.