Southern Pine Beetle vs Peppered Moth of New Zealand
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Pine Beetle | Peppered Moth of New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendroctonus frontalis | Cleora scriptaria |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Curculionidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southeastern United States from Texas to Virginia | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Southern Pine Beetle
A tiny dark brown bark beetle that is the most destructive insect pest of southern pine forests. Infestations can kill thousands of trees in a single outbreak.
Did You Know?
Its S-shaped larval galleries beneath the bark are so distinctive they can be used to identify the species.
Peppered Moth of New Zealand
An endemic New Zealand geometrid moth known as the kawakawa looper, whose caterpillars feed on kawakawa and other native plants. The caterpillars are expert twig mimics, holding themselves rigid at an angle from the branch. Adults have speckled grey wings.
Did You Know?
The kawakawa looper caterpillar is such an effective twig mimic that it can be almost impossible to detect on a branch, even when you know it is there.