North American Water Scorpion vs Processionary Caterpillar Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Water Scorpion | Processionary Caterpillar Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ranatra fusca | Ochrogaster lunifer |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nepidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 28-40 mm including siphon | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
North American Water Scorpion
A stick-like aquatic predator found in ponds and marshes across eastern North America. It walks slowly on submerged vegetation to ambush prey.
Did You Know?
Despite being fully winged, it rarely flies and prefers to walk along the bottom of shallow ponds.
Processionary Caterpillar Moth
A moth whose caterpillars are famous for travelling in long, nose-to-tail processions through the Australian bush. The larvae are covered in irritating hairs that can cause severe allergic reactions in humans.
Did You Know?
Processions of caterpillars can stretch for metres and contain hundreds of individuals following a silk trail left by the leader.