Four-spotted Footman Moth vs Pine Webspinning Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-spotted Footman Moth Pine Webspinning Sawfly
Scientific Name Lithosia quadra Cephalcia arvensis
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Erebidae Pamphiliidae
Size 35-55 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Central and Eastern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Four-spotted Footman Moth

A large footman moth with strong sexual dimorphism; males are grey with two forewing spots, females yellow with four large blue-black spots. Females are significantly larger than males.

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Did You Know?

When handled, it can exude a yellow fluid from its thorax that stains skin.

Pine Webspinning Sawfly

A flat-bodied sawfly with long antennae and dark coloring. Larvae live communally in silk webs spun among spruce needles.

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Did You Know?

Periodic outbreaks in spruce monocultures can last several years, with the silk nests becoming a conspicuous feature of infested forests.