White Plume Moth vs Field Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Plume Moth Field Cockroach
Scientific Name Pterophorus pentadactyla Blattella vaga
Order Lepidoptera Blattodea
Family Pterophoridae Ectobiidae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Southwestern United States, Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

White Plume Moth

A delicate pure white moth with deeply divided wings that split into feather-like plumes. Often seen resting on walls at night with wings held out like a letter T. Caterpillars feed on hedge bindweed.

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Did You Know?

Its wings are divided into five feather-like plumes on each side, giving it one of the most unusual wing forms of any moth.

Field Cockroach

A small cockroach similar to the German cockroach but with a dark face. It lives outdoors in irrigated areas of the southwestern United States.

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Did You Know?

Its dark facial markings are the easiest way to distinguish it from the indoor-dwelling German cockroach.