Pale Tussock vs Variegated Cutworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale Tussock | Variegated Cutworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calliteara pudibunda | Peridroma saucia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 40-65 mm wingspan | 40-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Variegated Cutworm
A mottled brown moth whose plump soil-dwelling caterpillars cut through stems of seedlings at ground level. It attacks a very wide range of vegetables and field crops.
Did You Know?
A single caterpillar can cut down several seedlings in one night, often felling far more plants than it actually eats.