Brown Hairstreak vs European Wheat Stem Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown Hairstreak | European Wheat Stem Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thecla betulae | Cephus pygmeus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Cephidae |
| Size | 36-40 mm wingspan | 8-10 mm (adult) |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern (declining in parts of range) | Not Evaluated |
Brown Hairstreak
A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.
Did You Know?
Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.
European Wheat Stem Sawfly
A stem-boring sawfly pest of wheat and other cereals throughout Europe and western Asia. It has also established in parts of North America.
Did You Know?
Solid-stemmed wheat varieties were bred specifically to resist stem sawfly larval boring.