Luna Moth vs Dark Western Drywood Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Luna Moth | Dark Western Drywood Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Actias luna | Incisitermes fruticavus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Saturniidae | Kalotermitidae |
| Size | 80-115 mm wingspan | Workers 5-7 mm, soldiers 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Southwestern United States, Sonoran Desert |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Luna Moth
A stunning lime-green moth with long trailing hindwing tails. Adults live only about one week. The long tails confuse bat echolocation by creating false echoes.
Did You Know?
The luna moths long tail streamers confuse bat sonar — they spin behind the moth creating acoustic illusions that cause bats to miss their target 47% of the time.
Dark Western Drywood Termite
A drywood termite found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. It infests dead wood in desert trees and shrubs.
Did You Know?
It commonly infests dead wood of palo verde trees and mesquite in the Sonoran Desert.