Cabbage Moth vs Banded Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cabbage Moth Banded Hairstreak
Scientific Name Mamestra brassicae Satyrium calanus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae Lycaenidae
Size Wingspan 34-50mm 25-32 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Eastern United States and southeastern Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cabbage Moth

A mottled grey-brown moth with kidney-shaped and circular stigmata on the forewings. Its caterpillar is a serious pest of brassica crops worldwide.

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Did You Know?

A single caterpillar can bore deep into a cabbage head contaminating it with frass and making it unmarketable.

Banded Hairstreak

A small dark brown butterfly with conspicuous bands of white-edged dark dashes on its hindwing underside. It has a short thin tail and a small orange spot near the tail.

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Did You Know?

It rubs its hindwings together after landing, moving the tails to mimic antennae and trick predators into attacking the wrong end.