Pea Moth vs Japanese Giant Silkmoth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pea Moth Japanese Giant Silkmoth
Scientific Name Cydia nigricana Saturnia japonica
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tortricidae Saturniidae
Size 12-15 mm wingspan 85-120 mm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Mountains
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pea Moth

A small tortrix moth whose larvae feed inside pea pods. A significant pest of commercial and garden peas. Adults fly in June-July when peas are flowering.

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Did You Know?

Finding a maggot in your fresh garden peas almost certainly means a pea moth larva has been at work.

Japanese Giant Silkmoth

A large reddish-brown moth with prominent eyespots on all four wings. It is endemic to Japan and closely related to the European Emperor Moth.

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Did You Know?

It is considered a harbinger of spring in rural Japan, where it is called 'kusu-san'.