Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar vs Ruddy Barklouse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar Ruddy Barklouse
Scientific Name Eupithecia staurophragma Elipsocus hyalinus
Order Lepidoptera Psocoptera
Family Geometridae Elipsocidae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 2-3 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions Hawaii Europe
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.

Ruddy Barklouse

A delicate bark louse with translucent wings found in European forests. It lives on lichens and algae growing on tree trunks.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly transparent wings make it almost invisible when resting on pale lichen.