Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) vs Tropical Green Lacewing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) | Tropical Green Lacewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Liothula omnivora | Chrysoperla rufilabris |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Psychidae | Chrysopidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm (male wingspan); cases up to 100 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | North America, Central 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.
Tropical Green Lacewing
A widely distributed green lacewing used commercially for biological pest control in greenhouses. Larvae are aggressive predators of whiteflies and mealybugs.
Did You Know?
This species is mass-reared and sold commercially, with millions released annually for organic pest control.