Douglas-fir Tussock Moth vs South American Giant Diving Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Douglas-fir Tussock Moth South American Giant Diving Beetle
Scientific Name Orgyia pseudotsugata Megadytes ducalis
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Erebidae Dytiscidae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan (males) 35-45 mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Brazil, Amazon Basin
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.

South American Giant Diving Beetle

One of the largest diving beetles in South America with a glossy dark olive body. It inhabits large rivers and lakes of the Amazon basin.

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Did You Know?

It is among the largest dytiscid beetles in the Western Hemisphere.