Copper-Bottom Blow Fly vs Pine Emperor Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Copper-Bottom Blow Fly | Pine Emperor Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lucilia cuprina | Imbrasia cytherea |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 100-140 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Australia, South Africa, Asia | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Copper-Bottom Blow Fly
A metallic green-gold blow fly that is the most destructive cause of sheep blowfly strike in Australia and South Africa. Females lay eggs in soiled wool, and larvae burrow into the skin, causing severe tissue destruction. It has developed resistance to multiple insecticides used for livestock protection.
Did You Know?
Australia loses over 170 million dollars annually to sheep blowfly strike caused by this species.
Pine Emperor Moth
A large South African emperor moth with brown and cream banded wings. Its caterpillars can become significant defoliators of pine plantations in southern Africa.
Did You Know?
Pine emperor moth caterpillars occasionally undergo population explosions that can completely defoliate large areas of commercial pine plantation.