Pine Processionary vs White Plume Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pine Processionary | White Plume Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thaumetopoea pityocampa | Pterophorus pentadactyla |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Notodontidae | Pterophoridae |
| Size | 36-42 mm wingspan | 25-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East | Europe |
| 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.
White Plume Moth
A delicate pure white moth with deeply divided wings that split into feather-like plumes. Often seen resting on walls at night with wings held out like a letter T. Caterpillars feed on hedge bindweed.
Did You Know?
Its wings are divided into five feather-like plumes on each side, giving it one of the most unusual wing forms of any moth.