Douglas-fir Tussock Moth vs Red Helen

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Douglas-fir Tussock Moth Red Helen
Scientific Name Orgyia pseudotsugata Papilio helenus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Papilionidae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan (males) 110-140 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos)
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Douglas-fir Tussock Moth

A defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western North America. Outbreaks cause severe defoliation and tree mortality in dry inland forests.

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Did You Know?

Females are flightless and lay their eggs directly on their cocoons.

Red Helen

A large, elegant swallowtail butterfly with black wings marked by large creamy-white patches on the hindwings and red crescents along the hindwing margin. It has a slow, sailing flight.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar has an osmeterium, a bright orange forked organ behind the head that releases a foul smell to deter predators.