Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) vs Gaudy Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) | Gaudy Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Liothula omnivora | Eumorpha labruscae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Psychidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm (male wingspan); cases up to 100 mm | 85-120 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Southern United States, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth)
A native New Zealand bag moth whose caterpillars construct elaborate portable cases covered with twigs and leaf fragments. Female adults are wingless grubs that never leave their bags. Males are small dark moths that fly to find stationary females.
Did You Know?
The female bag moth never develops wings or legs and spends her entire life inside the bag, even laying her eggs within it before dying.
Gaudy Sphinx Moth
A spectacular hawk moth with blue-green and brown patterned forewings that create an extraordinary leafy camouflage. It is one of the most beautifully colored sphinx moths in the world.
Did You Know?
When resting on a vine leaf, the gaudy sphinx moth is almost impossible to spot because its wing patterns perfectly replicate the colors and veining of a fresh leaf.