Comet Moth vs European Fruit Scale
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Comet Moth | European Fruit Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Argema mittrei | Parthenolecanium corni |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Coccidae |
| Size | 200 mm wingspan, 150 mm tail | 3-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Africa | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Comet Moth
One of the worlds largest silk moths, with brilliant yellow wings and tail spans reaching 20 cm. Endemic to Madagascar. Males have longer tails than females.
Did You Know?
The comet moths spectacular 15-20 cm tail is the longest of any moth — and like the luna moth, it likely evolved to confuse bat echolocation.
European Fruit Scale
A polyphagous soft scale insect that infests fruit trees, ornamentals, and forest trees across Europe. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback.
Did You Know?
Its domed brown scale covering makes it resemble a tiny helmet attached to the twig.