Saddleback Caterpillar Moth vs Little Carpenterworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Saddleback Caterpillar Moth | Little Carpenterworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acharia stimulea | Prionoxystus macmurtrei |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Limacodidae | Cossidae |
| Size | 26-35 mm wingspan | 25–45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Orchards | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Saddleback Caterpillar Moth
A dark brown moth best known for its extraordinary caterpillar, which is bright green with a brown saddle-shaped marking and venomous spines. The sting causes intense burning pain.
Did You Know?
Its sting is among the most painful of any North American caterpillar and can cause nausea in sensitive individuals.
Little Carpenterworm
A smaller relative of the carpenterworm moth that bores into oaks and other hardwoods. Larvae create long tunnels through the sapwood and heartwood.
Did You Know?
Its tunnels reduce the commercial value of lumber and provide entry points for wood-decay fungi.