Golden Sun Moth vs Corn Earworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden Sun Moth Corn Earworm
Scientific Name Synemon plana Helicoverpa zea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Castniidae Noctuidae
Size 3-4 cm wingspan 35-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Root Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Australia Americas
Conservation Critically Endangered Not Evaluated

Golden Sun Moth

A day-flying moth with dull grey-brown forewings and brilliant orange-gold hindwings. It is critically threatened by the loss of native grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Larvae live underground feeding on grass roots for up to three years before emerging as adults that live only days.

Corn Earworm

A highly polyphagous moth whose caterpillars feed inside corn ears, tomato fruits, and cotton bolls. It is one of the costliest crop pests in the Americas.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars are cannibalistic, so usually only one survives per corn ear.