Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth vs Japanese Giant Silkmoth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth | Japanese Giant Silkmoth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Malacosoma americanum | Saturnia japonica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lasiocampidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 25–38 mm wingspan | 85-120 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Japan |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
A common moth whose caterpillars build conspicuous silk tents in the forks of cherry and apple trees. Colonies cooperate to build and expand their communal shelter.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars lay silk trail pheromones to guide nestmates to the best feeding sites on the tree.
Japanese Giant Silkmoth
A large reddish-brown moth with prominent eyespots on all four wings. It is endemic to Japan and closely related to the European Emperor Moth.
Did You Know?
It is considered a harbinger of spring in rural Japan, where it is called 'kusu-san'.