Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar vs Pine Shoot Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar Pine Shoot Moth
Scientific Name Eupithecia staurophragma Rhyacionia buoliana
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Tortricidae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 18-24 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Hawaii Europe, Asia, North America (introduced)
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar

A remarkable moth whose caterpillars are ambush predators of insects, unique among Lepidoptera. Found only in Hawaiian native forests.

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Did You Know?

These are among the only caterpillars in the world that actively hunt and eat other insects.

Pine Shoot Moth

A small bright orange moth with silver-grey crosslines on the forewings. Its larvae bore into the terminal shoots of young pine trees, causing deformity.

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Did You Know?

Attacked trees develop a characteristic 'posthorn' bend from the distorted leader shoot.