Brown-tail Moth vs Yellow Hornet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown-tail Moth | Yellow Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Euproctis chrysorrhoea | Vespa simillima |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 36-42 mm wingspan | 21-28 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia (introduced to North America) | East Asia, Japan/Korea |
| 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.
Yellow Hornet
Known as 'ke-buchi-suzumebachi' in Japanese, a common hornet in Japan and Korea. Builds large paper nests in trees and under eaves. Less aggressive than the giant hornet but still capable of painful stings.
Did You Know?
This species is responsible for more wasp stings in Japan than any other species because it frequently builds nests near human habitations.