Autumnal Moth vs Trinervitermes Nasute Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Autumnal Moth Trinervitermes Nasute Termite
Scientific Name Epirrita autumnata Trinervitermes trinervoides
Order Lepidoptera Blattodea
Family Geometridae Termitidae
Size 28-35 mm wingspan 3-6 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Siberia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Autumnal Moth

A grayish-brown moth with faint wavy crosslines on the forewings. It flies in autumn in subarctic birch forests. Periodic outbreaks of its larvae can completely defoliate vast areas of mountain birch forest.

💡

Did You Know?

Outbreaks of this moth in Scandinavian birch forests occur roughly every 10 years and can kill entire mountain birch forests across thousands of hectares.

Trinervitermes Nasute Termite

A grass-harvesting nasute termite of southern Africa that builds small dome-shaped mounds in grasslands. Soldiers have pointed snouts that spray toxic chemicals at enemies.

💡

Did You Know?

Their pointed-nosed soldiers shoot a sticky, toxic chemical secretion that entangles and poisons attacking ants.