Black Headed Birch Sawfly vs Japanese Silk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Headed Birch Sawfly Japanese Silk Moth
Scientific Name Craesus alniastri Antheraea yamamai
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Saturniidae
Size 7-9 mm Wingspan 110-150 mm
Habitat Woodlands Indoors
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Japan, Korea, China
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Black Headed Birch Sawfly

A medium-sized sawfly with a dark head and orange body. Larvae are greenish-blue with black heads and feed communally on birch and alder leaves.

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Did You Know?

When a predator approaches, the entire colony of larvae simultaneously rears up and thrashes, making the group appear larger and more threatening.

Japanese Silk Moth

A large wild silk moth native to Japan with striking yellow-brown wings bearing prominent eyespots. Its silk was historically used to produce high-quality tensan fabric.

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Did You Know?

Its silk, called tensan, is naturally green-tinged and was reserved for Japanese imperial garments.