Skin Moth vs Vegetable Caterpillar
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Skin Moth | Vegetable Caterpillar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Monopis laevigella | Ophiocordyceps robertsii |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tineidae | Hepialidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm wingspan | 50-100 mm (caterpillar plus fungal stalk) |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Skin Moth
A small dark brown moth with a pale spot on each forewing that breeds in bird nests and animal remains. It is one of nature's recyclers, breaking down keratin-rich waste.
Did You Know?
Forensic entomologists use its presence on corpses to help estimate time of death in criminal investigations.
Vegetable Caterpillar
The host of this relationship is the caterpillar of the native moth Aenetus virescens, parasitized by the endemic Cordyceps fungus. The fungus invades and mummifies the caterpillar underground, then sends a fruiting body to the surface. It was known to Maori as awhato.
Did You Know?
Maori prized the vegetable caterpillar as a pigment source, grinding the fungus-caterpillar combination to produce a blue-black tattoo ink.