Puriri Moth vs Bella Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Puriri Moth | Bella Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aenetus virescens | Utetheisa ornatrix |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Arctiidae |
| Size | 100-150 mm wingspan | 33-46 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - North Island) | Southeastern United States, Central and South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Puriri Moth
New Zealand's largest moth, with a wingspan up to 150 mm. The caterpillars bore into the trunks of native trees, particularly puriri and putaputaweta, creating characteristic U-shaped tunnels. Adults have no functional mouthparts and do not feed.
Did You Know?
Puriri moth larvae can spend up to six years boring through living tree trunks before pupating and emerging as adults that live only a few days.
Bella Moth
A brightly colored moth with pink-orange forewings covered in white and black spots. It sequesters toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from its host plants for chemical defense.
Did You Know?
Males transfer protective alkaloids to females during mating, which she then deposits onto her eggs to protect them.