South American Luna Moth vs Western Harvester Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Luna Moth Western Harvester Ant
Scientific Name Copaxa lavendera Pogonomyrmex occidentalis
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Saturniidae Formicidae
Size 90-120 mm wingspan 6-10 mm
Habitat Mountains Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia Western United States and southwestern Canada
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

South American Luna Moth

A silkmoth with soft lavender-brown wings and prominent rounded eyespots. Its feathery antennae can detect female pheromones from great distances.

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Did You Know?

Males can detect a single molecule of female pheromone from over a kilometer away using their elaborate feathered antennae.

Western Harvester Ant

A large red ant that constructs conspicuous gravel-topped mound nests in western grasslands. It clears all vegetation from a wide circle around its nest entrance.

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Did You Know?

Its sting is one of the most painful among North American ants and has been rated highly on the Schmidt pain index.