Common Rustic vs Pear Thrips
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Rustic | Pear Thrips |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesapamea secalis | Taeniothrips inconsequens |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Thysanoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Thripidae |
| Size | 26-34 mm wingspan | 1.2-1.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Common Rustic
A highly variable common moth that forms a species complex with the Lesser Common Rustic. External appearance is unreliable for identification. Larvae feed inside grass stems.
Did You Know?
So similar to its sibling species that they were not recognized as separate species until 1983.
Pear Thrips
A dark brown thrips that damages pear and cherry blossoms in spring. Adults emerge from the soil to feed on opening buds.
Did You Know?
In the 1980s pear thrips caused widespread damage to sugar maple forests in the northeastern United States.