Citrus Mealybug Encyrtid vs Common Lime Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Citrus Mealybug Encyrtid Common Lime Butterfly
Scientific Name Leptomastix dactylopii Papilio demoleus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Encyrtidae Papilionidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 80-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions South America, Mediterranean, Worldwide (introduced) South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Caribbean
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Citrus Mealybug Encyrtid

A solitary parasitoid wasp specific to citrus mealybugs, used globally in greenhouse biological control. Adults are slender with iridescent wings and long antennae.

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Did You Know?

A single female can parasitize up to 100 mealybugs in her lifetime, making her a potent biological control agent.

Common Lime Butterfly

Black swallowtail covered in pale yellow spots and lacking hindwing tails. A major pest of citrus across Asia and recently invaded the Caribbean.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most successful invasive butterflies, having colonized the Caribbean since 2004.