Large White vs Japanese Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large White | Japanese Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pieris brassicae | Antheraea yamamai |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 58-63 mm wingspan | Wingspan 110-150 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Indoors |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Japan, Korea, China |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Large White
A common white butterfly with black wingtips and one or two black spots on the forewing. Its green-yellow caterpillars are a major agricultural pest of brassica crops.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars sequester mustard oils from their food plants and can spray these noxious chemicals at attacking predators.
Japanese Silk Moth
A large wild silk moth native to Japan with striking yellow-brown wings bearing prominent eyespots. Its silk was historically used to produce high-quality tensan fabric.
Did You Know?
Its silk, called tensan, is naturally green-tinged and was reserved for Japanese imperial garments.