Tobacco Moth vs Swarm-Founding Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tobacco Moth | Swarm-Founding Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephestia elutella | Polybia paulista |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pyralidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm body; 14-20 mm wingspan | 10-15 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions | Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay |
| 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.
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.
Swarm-Founding Wasp
A small dark social wasp that builds enclosed paper nests containing thousands of individuals. It is known for its aggressive colony defense.
Did You Know?
Its venom contains a peptide called Polybia-MP1 that has shown the ability to selectively destroy cancer cells in laboratory studies.