Lichen Moth of New Zealand vs Raspy Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lichen Moth of New Zealand Raspy Cricket
Scientific Name Declana floccosa Cooraboorama canberrae
Order Lepidoptera Orthoptera
Family Geometridae Gryllacrididae
Size 35-50 mm wingspan 20-30 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Oceania (New Zealand) Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lichen Moth of New Zealand

A beautifully camouflaged moth endemic to New Zealand that resembles a patch of lichen when resting on bark. Both the wings and body are patterned with greens, greys, and whites that perfectly mimic lichen. It is found in native forests throughout the country.

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Did You Know?

This moth's lichen-like camouflage is so convincing that it even has raised scale tufts on its wings that mimic the three-dimensional texture of lichen.

Raspy Cricket

A nocturnal wingless cricket that builds silk-lined shelters from folded leaves.

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Did You Know?

It produces silk from its mouthparts, one of few non-larval insects to do so.