Acraea Butterfly vs Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Acraea Butterfly | Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acraea acerata | Conura acuta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Chalcididae |
| Size | 45-60 mm wingspan | 5-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi) | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Acraea Butterfly
A medium-sized butterfly with translucent orange wings and dark veins, giving it a delicate, window-like appearance. It is toxic and part of a large mimicry ring in East Africa.
Did You Know?
It is a significant pest of sweet potato crops in East Africa, with larvae sometimes completely defoliating plants.
Blue Morpho Caterpillar Parasite Wasp
A metallic-colored parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of various Lepidoptera, including Morpho butterflies. The female inserts her ovipositor through the pupal shell to lay eggs inside the developing butterfly. Larvae consume the pupa from within before emerging as adult wasps.
Did You Know?
A single parasitized Morpho pupa can produce dozens of tiny wasps instead of one large butterfly.