Old Lady Moth vs Virginia Pine Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Old Lady Moth Virginia Pine Sawfly
Scientific Name Mormo maura Neodiprion pratti pratti
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Noctuidae Diprionidae
Size 60-75 mm wingspan 6-8 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, western Asia Southeastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Old Lady Moth

A large, sombre dark-brown moth whose wing pattern was thought to resemble a shawl worn by elderly women. It hides in dark places by day, including outbuildings and cellars.

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Did You Know?

It is frequently found roosting in garden sheds and churches during the daytime in summer.

Virginia Pine Sawfly

A pine sawfly whose larvae are greenish-yellow with prominent dark stripes. It preferentially attacks Virginia pine and other hard pines in the southeastern United States.

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Did You Know?

This subspecies is restricted to Virginia pine, showing the host specificity that characterizes many Neodiprion sawfly taxa.