Hag Moth vs Giant Northern Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hag Moth | Giant Northern Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phobetron pithecium | Mastotermes darwiniensis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Limacodidae | Mastotermitidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm wingspan | 10-15mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hag Moth
A furry brown moth whose larva is called the monkey slug due to its bizarre shape with curly fleshy lateral projections. The caterpillar looks nothing like a typical lepidopteran larva.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's curly brown appendages are thought to mimic a shed tarantula skin to deter predators.
Giant Northern Termite
The most primitive living termite and the only surviving member of its family. It retains many cockroach-like features including laying eggs in cockroach-like oothecae. It is extremely destructive to timber.
Did You Know?
It is a living fossil, the most primitive termite alive, retaining cockroach-like features that link termites to their ancestors.