Grape Phylloxera vs Comma Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Grape Phylloxera Comma Butterfly
Scientific Name Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Polygonia c-album
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Phylloxeridae Nymphalidae
Size 0.5-1.5 mm 44-48 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Root Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Worldwide wine-growing regions Europe, North Africa, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Grape Phylloxera

A tiny aphid-like insect that feeds on grapevine roots, causing galls and eventually killing European grape varieties. It devastated European vineyards in the 19th century.

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Did You Know?

The Great French Wine Blight it caused destroyed over 40% of French vineyards, reshaping the global wine industry forever.

Comma Butterfly

Orange butterfly with ragged wing edges and a small white comma-shaped mark on the underside. The irregular outline mimics a dead leaf.

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Did You Know?

Its range has expanded northward in Britain over recent decades, likely due to climate warming.