Tobacco Moth vs Garden Tiger Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tobacco Moth Garden Tiger Moth
Scientific Name Ephestia elutella Arctia caja
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pyralidae Erebidae
Size 8-11 mm body; 14-20 mm wingspan 50-73 mm wingspan
Habitat Indoors Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Herbivores
Regions Worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tobacco Moth

A small greyish-brown moth that primarily infests stored tobacco but also attacks cocoa, cereals, and dried fruits. It is cold-tolerant and problematic in temperate warehouse environments.

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Did You Know?

It is more cold-hardy than most stored product moths and can complete development at temperatures as low as 15 degrees Celsius.

Garden Tiger Moth

A boldly patterned moth with chocolate-and-white forewings and red-spotted hindwings.

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Did You Know?

Its woolly bear caterpillar was the inspiration for weather folklore predictions.