Gum Leaf Skeletoniser vs Giant Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gum Leaf Skeletoniser | Giant Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Uraba lugens | Hyalophora euryalus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nolidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm wingspan | 90-130 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Western North America, from British Columbia to Baja California |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gum Leaf Skeletoniser
A small moth whose caterpillars are known for retaining their shed head capsules stacked on top of each other, forming a tall 'hat'. The larvae feed gregariously on eucalyptus leaves, skeletonising them.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillar is nicknamed the 'mad hatterpillar' because it wears a tower of old head capsules like a top hat.
Giant Silk Moth
A large western North American silk moth with reddish-brown wings featuring bold white crescent markings and a red-and-white banded body. It is the Pacific coast counterpart of the cecropia moth.
Did You Know?
Hyalophora euryalus can hybridize with the cecropia moth where their ranges overlap, producing fertile offspring in a zone of intergradation.