Silver-spotted Ghost Moth vs Dobsonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Silver-spotted Ghost Moth | Dobsonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sthenopis argenteomaculatus | Corydalus cornutus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Corydalidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 40-55 mm body, 125 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.
Did You Know?
Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.
Dobsonfly
Large insects with intimidating mandibles in males that are actually too large to bite effectively. Aquatic hellgrammite larvae are prized as fishing bait and indicate clean water.
Did You Know?
Male dobsonflies have terrifying mandibles up to 40 mm long, but they are so large the males cannot actually generate enough force to pinch — the females bite harder.