Peafowl Feather Louse vs Giant Silk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Peafowl Feather Louse Giant Silk Moth
Scientific Name Goniodes pavonis Hyalophora euryalus
Order Phthiraptera Lepidoptera
Family Philopteridae Saturniidae
Size 2-4 mm 90-130 mm
Habitat Gardens Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions South Asia, Worldwide in captive populations Western North America, from British Columbia to Baja California
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Peafowl Feather Louse

A large chewing louse found on peafowl and pheasants. It feeds on feather material and can damage the ornamental plumage of peacocks.

💡

Did You Know?

Heavy infestations can damage the spectacular tail feathers that peacocks depend on for courtship displays.

Giant Silk Moth

A large western North American silk moth with reddish-brown wings featuring bold white crescent markings and a red-and-white banded body. It is the Pacific coast counterpart of the cecropia moth.

💡

Did You Know?

Hyalophora euryalus can hybridize with the cecropia moth where their ranges overlap, producing fertile offspring in a zone of intergradation.