Pear Psylla vs Corn Earworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pear Psylla Corn Earworm
Scientific Name Cacopsylla pyri Helicoverpa zea
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Psyllidae Noctuidae
Size 2-3 mm 35-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe, Western North America Americas
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Pear Psylla

A small winged psyllid that is the most important insect pest of European pear orchards. Nymphs produce copious honeydew that causes fruit russeting and sooty mold.

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Did You Know?

It can inject a toxin while feeding that causes a condition called psylla shock, which can kill young pear trees.

Corn Earworm

A highly polyphagous moth whose caterpillars feed inside corn ears, tomato fruits, and cotton bolls. It is one of the costliest crop pests in the Americas.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars are cannibalistic, so usually only one survives per corn ear.