Cinnabar Moth vs Splendid Ghost Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cinnabar Moth | Splendid Ghost Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tyria jacobaeae | Aenetus ligniveren |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Hepialidae |
| Size | 32-42 mm wingspan | 120-160 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe, central Asia (introduced to Australasia and Americas) | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cinnabar Moth
A day-flying moth with charcoal-black wings marked with crimson-red stripes and spots. It has been deliberately introduced worldwide as a biological control agent for ragwort.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars store toxic alkaloids from ragwort, making them so distasteful that birds learn to avoid them.
Splendid Ghost Moth
A large, primitive moth with bright green and white patterned wings. Its larvae bore into tree trunks and live inside galleries covered with silk and frass, making them among the longest-lived Australian caterpillars.
Did You Know?
Ghost moth larvae can live inside a tree trunk for up to five years, feeding on the living wood before pupating.