Buff Ermine Moth vs Cotesia Congregata

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Buff Ermine Moth Cotesia Congregata
Scientific Name Spilosoma lutea Cotesia congregata
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Erebidae Braconidae
Size 34-42 mm wingspan 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Buff Ermine Moth

A creamy-buff moth with scattered dark spots and a distinctive dark streak along the forewing costa. It closely resembles the White Ermine but has warmer tones.

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Did You Know?

Unlike many ermine moths, it has a conspicuous dark diagonal streak near the wing tip.

Cotesia Congregata

A gregarious endoparasitoid whose larvae emerge en masse from hornworm caterpillars to spin white cocoons on the host's skin. It is a well-known natural enemy of tobacco and tomato hornworms.

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Did You Know?

Up to 300 larvae can emerge from a single hornworm caterpillar, covering it in tiny white silk cocoons.