Buzzing Spider vs clouded drab

Anyphaena accentuata compared with Orthosia incerta

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Buzzing Spider clouded drab
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Arthropoda (Arthropods) Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Arachnida (Arachnids) Insecta (Insects)
Order Araneae (Araneae) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Anyphaenidae Noctuidae
Genus Anyphaena Orthosia
Species Anyphaena accentuata Orthosia incerta

Evolutionary Relationship

Buzzing Spider and clouded drab share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Arthropoda. (Arthropods)

Conservation Status

Buzzing Spider

LC — Least Concern

clouded drab

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Buzzing Spider clouded drab
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Buzzing Spider

Habitat

Typically found in terrestrial habitats from forests to deserts.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.

clouded drab

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Buzzing Spider

The Buzzing Spider (Anyphaena accentuata) is a species in the genus Anyphaena. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in terrestrial habitats from forests to deserts.

clouded drab

The clouded drab (Orthosia incerta) is a noctuid moth in the family Noctuidae and one of the characteristic early-spring moths of temperate Europe and western Asia, flying from February to April when most other moth species are inactive. The adult wingspan measures approximately 35–42 mm with variable forewings ranging from pale greyish-buff through warm reddish-brown to dark grey-brown, bearing subtle cross-lines, stigmata, and the clouded, diffuse shading that gives the species its common name. The variability of the clouded drab has historically created confusion with related Orthosia species. Adults emerge early in the year, taking nectar from sallow catkins and other early-spring flowers. Larvae feed on the foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs including oak, hawthorn, birch, and hazel in woodland, scrub, and hedgerow habitats. The clouded drab is one of the more numerous and widespread spring moths in Britain and northern Europe, routinely recorded at light traps and regarded as an indicator of woodland health. The early flight season makes it an important pollinator of early-flowering trees and shrubs in temperate woodland systems.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia