Brown-tail Moth vs Common Bagworm Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown-tail Moth | Common Bagworm Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Euproctis chrysorrhoea | Psyche casta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Psychidae |
| Size | 36-42 mm wingspan | Males 12-15 mm wingspan; females wingless |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia (introduced to North America) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Brown-tail Moth
A white moth with a conspicuous brown tuft of hairs at the tip of its abdomen, used to cover its eggs. The caterpillar's hairs are highly irritating and can cause widespread rashes.
Did You Know?
Shed caterpillar hairs can become airborne and cause respiratory distress in people kilometres from the colony.
Common Bagworm Moth
A small moth whose larva builds a distinctive portable bag from silk and plant debris that it carries everywhere. Adult females are wingless and never leave their larval bag.
Did You Know?
The wingless female mates, lays eggs, and dies entirely within the bag she built as a caterpillar.