American Moth-Butterfly vs Douglas-fir Tussock Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Moth-Butterfly Douglas-fir Tussock Moth
Scientific Name Macrosoma heliconiaria Orgyia pseudotsugata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Hedylidae Erebidae
Size 38-45 mm wingspan 25-35 mm wingspan (males)
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Central America, South America North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

American Moth-Butterfly

Pale greenish-gray moth-like butterfly with rounded wings and nocturnal habits. Represents the evolutionary link between butterflies and moths.

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Did You Know?

Despite looking like moths, DNA evidence confirms hedylids are true butterflies within Papilionoidea.

Douglas-fir Tussock Moth

A defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western North America. Outbreaks cause severe defoliation and tree mortality in dry inland forests.

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Did You Know?

Females are flightless and lay their eggs directly on their cocoons.