African Armyworm vs Karner Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Armyworm | Karner Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Spodoptera exempta | Plebejus samuelis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 28-35 mm wingspan | 22-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania | Great Lakes and northeastern United States |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Endangered |
African Armyworm
A migratory pest moth whose caterpillars march in vast armies across cereal crops and grasslands in Africa. Outbreaks follow heavy rains and can destroy pastures and grain fields.
Did You Know?
A single outbreak swarm can contain millions of caterpillars marching together across fields like an army.
Karner Blue
A tiny bright blue butterfly with orange crescents on the hindwing underside that depends entirely on wild lupine. It is a federally endangered species in the United States.
Did You Know?
It was first described by novelist Vladimir Nabokov, who was also a serious lepidopterist at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology.