December Moth vs Australian Caterpillar Hunter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | December Moth | Australian Caterpillar Hunter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Poecilocampa populi | Calosoma schayeri |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lasiocampidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 20-28 mm |
| Habitat | Parks | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
December Moth
A dark, hairy moth that flies in the coldest months of the year, from November to January. Its cold-season activity is an adaptation to avoid parasitoids and predators.
Did You Know?
Males fly actively on freezing nights, using antifreeze proteins in their blood to stay airborne.
Australian Caterpillar Hunter
An Australian caterpillar hunter with dark metallic elytra. It is an important natural enemy of pasture and crop caterpillar pests.
Did You Know?
It is attracted to lights at night and sometimes appears in large numbers around buildings during moth outbreaks.