Cylindrical Bark Hister vs Great Purple Hairstreak
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cylindrical Bark Hister | Great Purple Hairstreak |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Teretrius fabricii | Atlides halesus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Histeridae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 32-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America (introduced) | Southern United States from California to the Atlantic coast |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cylindrical Bark Hister
A tiny, cylindrical hister beetle that lives under bark of dead trees. Its elongated shape allows it to follow bark beetle tunnels.
Did You Know?
It was intentionally introduced to North America from Europe to help control the smaller European elm bark beetle.
Great Purple Hairstreak
The largest hairstreak in North America with brilliant iridescent blue upperside wings and a bright red-orange abdomen. Its underside is dark with metallic blue and red spots near the tails.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars feed only on mistletoe, and females seek out this parasitic plant high in oak canopies to lay their eggs.