Gray Hairstreak vs Black Hissing Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Gray Hairstreak Black Hissing Cockroach
Scientific Name Strymon melinus Gromphadorhina picea
Order Lepidoptera Blattodea
Family Lycaenidae Blaberidae
Size 22-35 mm wingspan 45-60 mm
Habitat Grasslands Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Throughout the United States, southern Canada, and into Central America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Gray Hairstreak

One of the most widespread hairstreaks in North America with slate-gray wings and a bright orange spot near its tail. It uses a remarkably wide range of host plants.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars feed on plants from over 20 different families, making it one of the most generalist butterfly larvae in North America.

Black Hissing Cockroach

A smaller species of hissing cockroach with a uniformly dark brown to black coloration and less prominent pronotal bumps compared to other Gromphadorhina species.

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Did You Know?

Its Latin name 'picea' means pitch-black, describing its distinctively dark coloration compared to its congeners.