Japanese Luehdorfia vs Lana'i Sandalwood Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Luehdorfia | Lana'i Sandalwood Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Luehdorfia japonica | Iliahia pahulu |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Gracillariidae |
| Size | 45-55 mm wingspan | 5-8 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Japan (Honshu) | Oceania |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Critically Endangered |
Japanese Luehdorfia
A rare spring-flying swallowtail butterfly endemic to Japan. Named 'spring goddess' in Japanese. Has declined severely due to habitat loss and deer browsing on its food plants.
Did You Know?
Called 'gifu-cho' (Gifu butterfly) in Japanese and considered a symbol of spring in Japanese culture.
Lana'i Sandalwood Moth
A critically endangered moth discovered in 2026, known only from a small grove of roughly 30 sandalwood trees on the island of Lanai. Its larvae mine sandalwood leaves.
Did You Know?
This moth is known from just one grove of 30 trees — if those sandalwood trees disappear, this entire species vanishes with them.