Lesser Yellow Underwing vs Columbine Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Yellow Underwing | Columbine Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Noctua comes | Pristiphora aquilegiae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 40-46 mm wingspan | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Gardens |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lesser Yellow Underwing
Similar to the Large Yellow Underwing but smaller with more orange-yellow hindwings. Very common in gardens and attracted to light. Larvae feed on many herbaceous plants.
Did You Know?
Together with its larger relative, forms one of the most abundant moth species partnerships in garden moth traps.
Columbine Sawfly
A small, dark sawfly whose pale green larvae feed on the leaves of columbine plants. Larvae can cause significant damage in flower gardens.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward and can reduce a columbine plant to bare stems and leaf ribs within days.