Columbia Silk Moth vs New Zealand Katipo Spider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Columbia Silk Moth | New Zealand Katipo Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyalophora columbia | Latrodectus katipo |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Araneae |
| Family | Saturniidae | Theridiidae |
| Size | 90-130 mm wingspan | 6-10 mm body |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Northern United States and Canada, particularly the Great Lakes region | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Columbia Silk Moth
A large reddish-brown silk moth closely related to the cecropia moth but found in northern bog habitats. Its cocoon is spun on larch branches rather than broad-leaved trees.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few silk moths adapted to boreal wetlands, where its larvae specialize on conifer needles instead of hardwood leaves.
New Zealand Katipo Spider
New Zealand's most venomous spider, found only on coastal sand dunes. Although an arachnid, it is one of New Zealand's most iconic invertebrates. The name katipo means night stinger in Maori. It is now critically rare due to habitat loss.
Did You Know?
Despite being closely related to the black widow and redback spiders, no human deaths from katipo bites have been recorded in New Zealand.