Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth vs African Cassava Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth | African Cassava Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gynaephora rossii | Mesoplatys ochroptera |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 28-38 mm wingspan | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, Alaska, northern Siberia | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth
A close relative of the Greenland woolly bear, this moth has pale gray wings and a densely furred body. The caterpillar is covered in long dark hairs and freezes solid each winter. Adults have reduced mouthparts.
Did You Know?
This moth's caterpillar is parasitized at very high rates by ichneumon wasps, which may extend its already decade-long development even further.
African Cassava Leaf Beetle
A small, yellowish-brown beetle that is a significant pest of cassava in sub-Saharan Africa. Both adults and larvae feed on young cassava leaves and shoots.
Did You Know?
Cassava leaf beetles can cause severe defoliation of cassava, one of Africa's most important food security crops feeding over 500 million people.