Luna Moth vs Light Brown Apple Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Luna Moth | Light Brown Apple Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Actias luna | Epiphyas postvittana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Tortricidae |
| Size | 80-115 mm wingspan | 16-25 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Australia (native), New Zealand, Europe, North America (invasive) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Light Brown Apple Moth
A small variable brown moth native to Australia that has invaded several continents. It feeds on over 500 plant species, making it an exceptionally polyphagous pest.
Did You Know?
It holds the record for the broadest known host-plant range of any tortricid moth.