Snout Moth vs Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snout Moth Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
Scientific Name Vitessa suradeva Sthenopis argenteomaculatus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pyralidae Hepialidae
Size 40-50 mm wingspan 60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Root Feeders
Regions Southeast Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snout Moth

A large pyralid moth from Southeast Asia and New Guinea whose caterpillars spin webs on young leaves of poisonous shrubs. Adults have elongated labial palps forming a 'snout'.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars can tolerate feeding on toxic plants that would kill most other moth species.

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.

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Did You Know?

Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.