Hag Moth vs Japanese Luna Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hag Moth | Japanese Luna Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phobetron pithecium | Actias gnoma |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Limacodidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm wingspan | 80-110 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Orchards | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | East Asia, Japan |
| 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.
Japanese Luna Moth
A smaller Japanese moon moth known as 'o-mizuao-ga,' with elegant pale green wings and long tail streamers. Found in mountain forests of Japan, appearing in early summer.
Did You Know?
The delicate trailing tails on the hindwings spin in flight, creating acoustic confusion that diverts echolocating bats away from the moth's vital body.