White-shouldered House Moth vs Kauri Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-shouldered House Moth Kauri Moth
Scientific Name Endrosis sarcitrella Agathiphaga vitiensis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Oecophoridae Agathiphagidae
Size 15-21 mm wingspan 8-12 mm wingspan
Habitat Indoors Forests
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Cosmopolitan Oceania (Fiji, Vanuatu, Queensland)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White-shouldered House Moth

A small greyish moth with a conspicuous white head and thorax that is common in buildings year-round. It is found worldwide as a minor household pest.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few moths that can breed continuously indoors throughout the year without a dormant phase.

Kauri Moth

An extremely primitive moth considered a living fossil, with larvae that feed inside the seeds of kauri pine trees. It retains ancient features including functional mandibles in the adult stage. The family Agathiphagidae contains only two known species.

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Did You Know?

This moth is considered one of the most primitive living Lepidoptera, retaining mandibles that most moths and butterflies lost millions of years ago.