Blue Flea Beetle vs Pallid Emperor Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Flea Beetle | Pallid Emperor Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Altica lythri | Cirina forda |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 60-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Flea Beetle
A small metallic blue-green flea beetle that feeds on willowherb and evening primrose. Has enlarged hind femora enabling it to jump considerable distances. Widespread but often overlooked.
Did You Know?
Despite its tiny size, it can jump over 100 times its own body length using its powerful hind legs.
Pallid Emperor Moth
A medium-sized saturniid moth with pale brownish-grey wings. The caterpillars, known as shea worms, feed on shea butter trees and are widely consumed in West Africa. Adults emerge synchronously at the start of the rainy season.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars are so important as food in West Africa that their harvest timing is traditionally regulated by village elders.