Pea Moth vs Wallaces Golden Birdwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pea Moth Wallaces Golden Birdwing
Scientific Name Cydia nigricana Ornithoptera croesus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tortricidae Papilionidae
Size 12-15 mm wingspan 160-190 mm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Forests
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

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.

Wallaces Golden Birdwing

Named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who called it the finest specimen he ever captured. Males are brilliant orange-gold and black. Found only in North Maluku, Indonesia.

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Did You Know?

Wallace was so overwhelmed by catching this butterfly in 1859 that he wrote his head began to ache and he felt close to fainting from the beauty of the creature.