Kaup Bess Beetle vs Box Tree Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Kaup Bess Beetle | Box Tree Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Passalus interstitialis | Cydalima perspectalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Passalidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Gardens |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, Mexico | Native to East Asia; invasive in Europe and North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Kaup Bess Beetle
A large, elongate, shiny black bess beetle with prominent mandibles and longitudinal grooves on the elytra. It is the most common Passalid in Central America. Colonies of adults and larvae inhabit decaying logs.
Did You Know?
Bess beetles are subsocial insects where parents and offspring live together and cooperate in maintaining their log galleries.
Box Tree Moth
A white moth with iridescent brown wing borders that has become one of Europe's most destructive invasive species. Its caterpillars can completely defoliate ornamental boxwood hedges.
Did You Know?
Since arriving in Europe around 2007, it has devastated centuries-old boxwood gardens across the continent.