Social Pear Sawfly vs Hag Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Social Pear Sawfly Hag Moth
Scientific Name Neurotoma saltuum Phobetron pithecium
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pamphiliidae Limacodidae
Size 10-12 mm 20-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Fruit Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Social Pear Sawfly

A broad-bodied sawfly with long antennae whose larvae spin communal webs on pear and other fruit trees. Multiple larvae feed together within the silk nest.

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Did You Know?

The larvae build elaborate communal silk nests that can envelope entire branch clusters, creating conspicuous webbed masses on fruit trees.

Hag Moth

A furry brown moth whose larva is called the monkey slug due to its bizarre shape with curly fleshy lateral projections. The caterpillar looks nothing like a typical lepidopteran larva.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar's curly brown appendages are thought to mimic a shed tarantula skin to deter predators.