Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug vs Imbrasia Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug | Imbrasia Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tessaratoma papillosa | Imbrasia epimethea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tessaratomidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 25-30 mm | 90-130 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Grasslands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | South and Southeast Asia, China | West and Central Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tessaratomid Giant Shield Bug
A very large, robust shield bug that is a serious pest of lychee and longan trees in Asia. Adults are yellowish-brown and can spray a caustic defensive fluid. It is one of the largest true bugs in the Hemiptera order.
Did You Know?
It can spray a caustic chemical from its thoracic glands that causes intense burning pain and temporary blindness if it contacts the eyes of a predator or person.
Imbrasia Silk Moth
A large West African saturniid with reddish-brown wings bearing dark eyespots. Its caterpillars are among the most widely consumed edible insects in the Congo Basin.
Did You Know?
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, caterpillars of Imbrasia epimethea are a staple food and are sold in markets throughout the country.