Common Quaker vs Kissing Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Quaker | Kissing Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthosia cerasi | Rhodnius prolixus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Reduviidae |
| Size | 32-38 mm wingspan | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Quaker
A drab but very common spring moth attracted to sallow blossom. Variable brown coloring. Named 'quaker' for its plain, modest appearance. Larvae feed on many deciduous trees.
Did You Know?
Named 'Quaker' because its plain brown appearance was compared to the modest dress of the Quaker community.
Kissing Bug
The principal vector of Chagas disease in Latin America. Named because it bites sleeping humans near the mouth and eyes, transmitting the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite through its feces.
Did You Know?
Kissing bugs defecate while feeding on sleeping victims — the parasite in their feces enters through the bite wound, infecting up to 8 million people with Chagas disease.