Reunion Flightless Weevil vs Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Reunion Flightless Weevil Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth
Scientific Name Cratopus ovalis Malacosoma disstria
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Curculionidae Lasiocampidae
Size 8-12 mm 25–35 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Reunion Island North America
Conservation Vulnerable Not Evaluated

Reunion Flightless Weevil

A flightless weevil with fused elytra endemic to the island of Reunion. Its inability to fly has made it vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

💡

Did You Know?

Flightlessness evolved independently in many island beetle lineages as an adaptation to windy conditions.

Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth

A widespread North American moth whose caterpillars defoliate vast areas of hardwood forest. Despite the name, they form silken mats rather than true tents.

💡

Did You Know?

Outbreaks can defoliate millions of hectares of forest, though healthy trees usually recover with new leaves.