True Armyworm Moth vs Feather-Legged Assassin Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute True Armyworm Moth Feather-Legged Assassin Bug
Scientific Name Mythimna unipuncta Ptilocnemus lemur
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Noctuidae Reduviidae
Size 35-45 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

True Armyworm Moth

A tawny-brown moth with a single white dot on each forewing. Its larvae march in armies across fields, devastating cereal crops.

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Did You Know?

Larvae travel in large groups across the ground like a marching army, hence the common name.

Feather-Legged Assassin Bug

An Australian assassin bug with bizarre feathery hind legs used to lure ant prey. It waves its feathered legs near ant trails to attract victims.

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Did You Know?

It dangles its feathery hind legs like fishing lures to attract ants, which it then seizes and devours.