Common Bagworm Moth vs Pepe Para Riki (Common Copper)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Bagworm Moth | Pepe Para Riki (Common Copper) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psyche casta | Lycaena salustius |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Psychidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | Males 12-15 mm wingspan; females wingless | 20-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Bagworm Moth
A small moth whose larva builds a distinctive portable bag from silk and plant debris that it carries everywhere. Adult females are wingless and never leave their larval bag.
Did You Know?
The wingless female mates, lays eggs, and dies entirely within the bag she built as a caterpillar.
Pepe Para Riki (Common Copper)
New Zealand's most common endemic butterfly, a small copper-coloured species found in open habitats throughout the country. Males are bright coppery-orange above while females are duller with more dark markings. Larvae feed on native Muehlenbeckia vines.
Did You Know?
The common copper is the only representative of the family Lycaenidae native to New Zealand.