Grape Phylloxera vs Figure of Eight Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Grape Phylloxera Figure of Eight Moth
Scientific Name Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Diloba caeruleocephala
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Phylloxeridae Noctuidae
Size 0.5-1.5 mm 35-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Root Feeders Omnivores
Regions Worldwide wine-growing regions Europe, western Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Grape Phylloxera

A tiny aphid-like insect that feeds on grapevine roots, causing galls and eventually killing European grape varieties. It devastated European vineyards in the 19th century.

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Did You Know?

The Great French Wine Blight it caused destroyed over 40% of French vineyards, reshaping the global wine industry forever.

Figure of Eight Moth

Named for the figure-of-eight marking on its grey forewing, this autumn-flying moth is often found at ivy blossom. Its caterpillar is blue-grey with yellow stripes.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few moths that flies and breeds in late autumn when most species have already ended their season.