Puriri Moth vs South African Alderfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Puriri Moth | South African Alderfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aenetus virescens | Leptosialis africana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Megaloptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Sialidae |
| Size | 100-150 mm wingspan | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - North Island) | Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
South African Alderfly
One of the few alderfly species found in the Southern Hemisphere, occurring in clean mountain streams of South Africa. Adults are small with dark wings.
Did You Know?
Southern Hemisphere alderflies are so rare and poorly studied that basic aspects of their biology remain unknown to science.