African Blister Beetle vs Cabbage Looper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Blister Beetle | Cabbage Looper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mylabris oculata | Trichoplusia ni |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 15-30 mm | 33-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) | North America, Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
African Blister Beetle
A conspicuous beetle with orange-red and black banded elytra. It contains cantharidin, a potent toxin that can cause severe skin blistering on contact.
Did You Know?
Its cantharidin is so toxic that even a small amount can kill a horse if ingested with contaminated hay or alfalfa.
Cabbage Looper
A pale green caterpillar that moves in a distinctive looping motion and feeds on brassica crops. The adult moth has a silvery figure-eight marking on each forewing.
Did You Know?
It was the first insect to develop resistance to the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis in greenhouse settings.