Oak Treehopper vs Large Case Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Oak Treehopper Large Case Moth
Scientific Name Platycotis vittata Metura elongatus
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Membracidae Psychidae
Size 8-11 mm Case up to 15 cm long; male moth 2-3 cm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions Eastern North America Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Oak Treehopper

A colorful treehopper that feeds on oak twigs in eastern North America. Females exhibit maternal care by straddling their egg masses to protect them from parasitoids.

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Did You Know?

Color morphs range from turquoise to red-orange depending on the population.

Large Case Moth

A bagworm moth whose larva builds a distinctive silk case covered in sticks and leaves. The wingless female never leaves her case, while males are small dark moths.

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Did You Know?

The wingless, legless adult female lives and dies inside her larval case after mating.