Pale Tussock vs Maritime Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale Tussock | Maritime Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calliteara pudibunda | Anisolabis maritima |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Anisolabididae |
| Size | 40-65 mm wingspan | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pale Tussock
A fluffy grey-white moth with distinctively feathered legs held forward at rest. Its caterpillar is spectacular, with dense yellow or green hair tufts and a red tail tuft.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's bright hair tufts are irritating to skin and were once used in practical jokes.
Maritime Earwig
A wingless earwig found in coastal habitats, living under driftwood and seaweed on beaches. It is dark brown to black with robust forceps.
Did You Know?
This earwig is one of the few insects adapted to the harsh intertidal zone, tolerating brief submersion in saltwater.