Riband Wave Moth vs Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Riband Wave Moth | Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Idaea aversata | Liothula omnivora |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Psychidae |
| Size | 26-33 mm wingspan | 15-25 mm (male wingspan); cases up to 100 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Riband Wave Moth
A small greyish moth occurring in both banded and plain forms. The banded form has a conspicuous dark central band across the forewings.
Did You Know?
Both the banded and plain forms can emerge from the same brood of eggs.
Pepe Tuna (Bag Moth)
A native New Zealand bag moth whose caterpillars construct elaborate portable cases covered with twigs and leaf fragments. Female adults are wingless grubs that never leave their bags. Males are small dark moths that fly to find stationary females.
Did You Know?
The female bag moth never develops wings or legs and spends her entire life inside the bag, even laying her eggs within it before dying.