Magpie Moth vs White-spotted Ichneumon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Magpie Moth | White-spotted Ichneumon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Abraxas grossulariata | Compsocryptus texensis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 38-48 mm wingspan | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Southern United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Magpie Moth
A conspicuous white moth with bold black spots and an orange-yellow band across the wings. It played a historic role in the discovery of sex-linked inheritance.
Did You Know?
Leonard Doncaster's experiments on this moth in 1906 provided early evidence for sex-linked genetics.
White-spotted Ichneumon
A medium black ichneumon wasp with conspicuous white spots on the thorax and legs. It parasitizes spider egg sacs and caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few ichneumon wasps adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the American Southwest.