Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) vs Negro Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) | Negro Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Liothula omnivora | Thyreocoris scarabaeoides |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Psychidae | Thyreocoridae |
| Size | 15-25 mm (male wingspan); cases up to 100 mm | 3-4mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Europe |
| 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.
Negro Bug
A tiny shiny black hemispherical bug that looks like a miniature beetle. It feeds on violets and strawberries.
Did You Know?
So strongly resembles a tiny beetle that it is frequently misidentified and overlooked by bug enthusiasts.