Blue-frosted Banner vs Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue-frosted Banner | Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catonephele numilia | Neodiprion swainei |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela) | Eastern Canada, northeastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue-frosted Banner
A sexually dimorphic butterfly where males are velvety black with bright orange bands and females are dark brown with yellow spots. The sexes look so different they were originally described as separate species. It is common in forest gaps and along watercourses.
Did You Know?
Males and females look so different that they were classified as separate species for over a century until breeding experiments revealed their true identity.
Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly
A pine sawfly with strongly pectinate male antennae and sawfly females that are stouter and paler. Larvae are olive green with lighter stripes and feed on jack pine.
Did You Know?
Major outbreaks have historically defoliated millions of hectares of jack pine in Quebec, though populations crash when viral diseases sweep through colonies.