Yellow Mantidfly vs Light Brown Apple Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Mantidfly Light Brown Apple Moth
Scientific Name Leptomantispa pulchella Epiphyas postvittana
Order Neuroptera Lepidoptera
Family Mantispidae Tortricidae
Size 14-20 mm wingspan 16-25 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Central America, Northern South America Australia (native), New Zealand, Europe, North America (invasive)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow Mantidfly

A delicate yellow mantidfly found in tropical Central and South America. Its slender build and pale coloring provide camouflage among flowers.

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Did You Know?

Its yellow coloring helps it blend in among tropical flowers where it waits to ambush visiting insects.

Light Brown Apple Moth

A small variable brown moth native to Australia that has invaded several continents. It feeds on over 500 plant species, making it an exceptionally polyphagous pest.

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Did You Know?

It holds the record for the broadest known host-plant range of any tortricid moth.