Pink Bollworm vs Sycamore Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pink Bollworm Sycamore Moth
Scientific Name Pectinophora gossypiella Acronicta aceris
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Gelechiidae Noctuidae
Size 15-20 mm wingspan Wingspan 35-45mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Seed Feeders Herbivores
Regions Asia, Africa, Americas, Oceania Europe, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Pink Bollworm

A small dark moth whose pink-tinged larvae bore into cotton bolls and damage the fibers and seeds. It has been one of the most economically important cotton pests globally.

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Did You Know?

A massive sterile insect technique program successfully eradicated it from the southwestern United States by 2018.

Sycamore Moth

A plain grey moth whose caterpillar is spectacular with white tufts and bright orange and yellow hair patches.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar is one of the most colorful in Europe with dense white hairs and bright orange-yellow tufts.