Mediterranean Flour Moth vs Henshaw's Brown Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Flour Moth | Henshaw's Brown Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephestia kuehniella | Caligula japonica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pyralidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm body; 20-25 mm wingspan | 100-130 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Mountains |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Japan, Korea, eastern China |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mediterranean Flour Moth
A major pest of flour mills that produces dense silken webbing that clogs milling machinery. It is pale grey with zigzag markings on the forewings.
Did You Know?
It was the first insect used to demonstrate biological pest control with parasitoid wasps in the early 1900s.
Henshaw's Brown Silk Moth
A large Japanese silk moth with rich brown wings featuring distinctive zigzag postmedial lines and clear ocelli. It is one of the most impressive saturniids native to Japan.
Did You Know?
In Japan, this species is called 'kusu-san' and is considered one of the most beautiful native moths, frequently featured in natural history publications.