Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar vs Tobacco Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar | Tobacco Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupithecia staurophragma | Ephestia elutella |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Pyralidae |
| Size | 20-25 mm wingspan | 8-11 mm body; 14-20 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Indoors |
| Diet | Predators | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Hawaii | Worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions |
| 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.
Did You Know?
These are among the only caterpillars in the world that actively hunt and eat other insects.
Tobacco Moth
A small greyish-brown moth that primarily infests stored tobacco but also attacks cocoa, cereals, and dried fruits. It is cold-tolerant and problematic in temperate warehouse environments.
Did You Know?
It is more cold-hardy than most stored product moths and can complete development at temperatures as low as 15 degrees Celsius.