Brown House Moth vs Hazel Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brown House Moth Hazel Sawfly
Scientific Name Hofmannophila pseudospretella Croesus septentrionalis
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Oecophoridae Tenthredinidae
Size 15-25 mm wingspan 8-10 mm
Habitat Indoors Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Cosmopolitan; believed native to Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brown House Moth

A dull bronze-brown moth with darker flecks that is a widespread household pest. Unlike clothes moths, it feeds on a vast range of organic materials.

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Did You Know?

It can complete its life cycle on a diet of owl pellets alone, making old bird nests ideal nurseries.

Hazel Sawfly

A medium-sized sawfly with an orange abdomen and dark thorax. The bluish-green larvae with black heads feed gregariously on hazel, birch, and alder.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, the gregarious larvae raise their tails simultaneously in an S-shape, creating an intimidating group display to deter predators.