Azalea Lace Bug vs Snout Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Azalea Lace Bug Snout Moth
Scientific Name Stephanitis pyrioides Vitessa suradeva
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Tingidae Pyralidae
Size 3-4 mm 40-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions East Asia, North America, Europe Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Azalea Lace Bug

A tiny lace bug with beautifully ornate, net-veined wings that is a major pest of azaleas and rhododendrons. Native to East Asia, it has become established in North America and Europe. Feeding causes white stippling on leaves.

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Did You Know?

Females insert their eggs into leaf tissue and cover them with a dark varnish-like substance, making them nearly invisible to predators.

Snout Moth

A large pyralid moth from Southeast Asia and New Guinea whose caterpillars spin webs on young leaves of poisonous shrubs. Adults have elongated labial palps forming a 'snout'.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars can tolerate feeding on toxic plants that would kill most other moth species.