Pine Processionary vs Japanese Bagworm Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pine Processionary | Japanese Bagworm Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thaumetopoea pityocampa | Eumeta variegata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Notodontidae | Psychidae |
| Size | 36-42 mm wingspan | 25-45 mm (case length) |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East | East Asia, Japan/Korea |
| 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.
Japanese Bagworm Moth
Known as 'minomushi' in Japanese, the caterpillar builds a distinctive portable case from silk, twigs, and leaves. Adult females are wingless and never leave their cases. A common sight on Japanese trees.
Did You Know?
Bagworm cases inspired the traditional Japanese rain cloak called 'mino,' and the word 'minomushi' literally means 'straw-raincoat insect.'