Black Cutworm vs Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Cutworm | Neotropical Blue Hairstreak |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agrotis ipsilon | Pseudolycaena marsyas |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 40-55 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Indoors | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Black Cutworm
A dull brown moth whose soil-dwelling caterpillars sever young seedlings at ground level during the night. It is a cosmopolitan pest that migrates long distances.
Did You Know?
Cutworm caterpillars curl into a C-shape when disturbed, a diagnostic behavior for identifying them in soil.
Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.
Did You Know?
Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.