Box Tree Moth vs Teak Defoliator Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Box Tree Moth | Teak Defoliator Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cydalima perspectalis | Hyblaea puera |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Hyblaeidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Gardens | Farmland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Native to East Asia; invasive in Europe and North America | South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Box Tree Moth
A white moth with iridescent brown wing borders that has become one of Europe's most destructive invasive species. Its caterpillars can completely defoliate ornamental boxwood hedges.
Did You Know?
Since arriving in Europe around 2007, it has devastated centuries-old boxwood gardens across the continent.
Teak Defoliator Moth
A medium-sized moth with orange-brown forewings and bright orange hindwings bordered in black. Its caterpillars are the most devastating defoliators of teak plantations across South Asia, stripping trees bare.
Did You Know?
During outbreak years, entire teak forests turn brown as millions of caterpillars strip every leaf, though the trees typically refoliate.