South American Clearwing Moth vs Shore Earwig

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Clearwing Moth Shore Earwig
Scientific Name Carmenta theobromae Anisolabis littorea
Order Lepidoptera Dermaptera
Family Sesiidae Anisolabididae
Size 18-25 mm wingspan 20-28 mm
Habitat Farmland Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

South American Clearwing Moth

A small wasp-mimicking clearwing moth with transparent wings and a banded black-and-yellow abdomen. It is a significant pest of cacao trees in South America.

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Did You Know?

Its resemblance to a stinging wasp is so convincing that even experienced entomologists sometimes mistake it for one in the field.

Shore Earwig

A large wingless earwig native to New Zealand, found under stones and driftwood on rocky coasts. It has a shiny black body and stout cerci.

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Did You Know?

This earwig is highly adapted to coastal life and can survive being submerged by waves during high tide.