Buck Moth vs Spruce Budworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Buck Moth | Spruce Budworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemileuca maia | Choristoneura fumiferana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Tortricidae |
| Size | 50-75 mm wingspan | 20-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Buck Moth
A day-flying black and white moth with a red-tipped abdomen that appears in autumn. Its spiny caterpillar delivers a painful venomous sting that causes welts and swelling.
Did You Know?
In New Orleans, falling caterpillars are a seasonal hazard, prompting public health warnings each spring.
Spruce Budworm
A small mottled grey-brown moth that is the most destructive forest pest in North America. Outbreaks can kill millions of hectares of spruce and fir forest.
Did You Know?
A single outbreak in the 1970s-80s damaged more timber than all forest fires in Canada combined.