Koa Bug vs Kauri Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Koa Bug | Kauri Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coleotichus blackburniae | Agathiphaga vitiensis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Scutelleridae | Agathiphagidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 8-12 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Hawaii | Oceania (Fiji, Vanuatu, Queensland) |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Koa Bug
A colorful jewel bug endemic to Hawaii with metallic green, gold, and red coloring. It feeds on koa and other native trees.
Did You Know?
Invasive parasitoid wasps have drastically reduced its numbers across the Hawaiian Islands.
Kauri Moth
An extremely primitive moth considered a living fossil, with larvae that feed inside the seeds of kauri pine trees. It retains ancient features including functional mandibles in the adult stage. The family Agathiphagidae contains only two known species.
Did You Know?
This moth is considered one of the most primitive living Lepidoptera, retaining mandibles that most moths and butterflies lost millions of years ago.