Pine Processionary vs Black Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pine Processionary | Black Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thaumetopoea pityocampa | Hermetia illucens |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Notodontidae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 36-42 mm wingspan | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East | North America, South America, Central America, Asia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pine Processionary
A grey moth whose caterpillars march in long nose-to-tail processions between their silk nests and feeding sites. The larvae's urticating hairs cause severe allergic reactions.
Did You Know?
Jean-Henri Fabre once tricked a procession into following itself in a circle for seven days without stopping.
Black Soldier Fly
A large, wasp-like fly with a shiny black body and translucent areas on the abdomen. Its larvae are extraordinarily efficient at converting organic waste into protein and fat.
Did You Know?
Black soldier fly larvae can reduce food waste mass by 95 percent in days, and the resulting protein-rich larvae are increasingly farmed as sustainable animal feed.