Giant Charaxes vs Woundwort Shieldbug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Charaxes Woundwort Shieldbug
Scientific Name Charaxes castor Eysarcoris venustissimus
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Nymphalidae Pentatomidae
Size 75-95 mm wingspan 6-7 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Charaxes

One of the largest charaxes butterflies with powerful tawny-orange wings with black borders. It has two short tails on each hindwing.

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Did You Know?

They are such powerful fliers that they can be heard making a distinct rustling noise as they fly past.

Woundwort Shieldbug

A small, compact bronze-green shield bug with a metallic sheen that feeds on woundwort and white dead-nettle. It has a broad, triangular scutellum and distinctively punctured pronotum. It is widespread in European grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Despite its species name 'venustissimus' meaning 'most beautiful,' it is actually quite plain compared to many shield bugs, though its metallic bronze sheen is subtly attractive.