Great Purple Hairstreak vs Lunate Ichneumon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Purple Hairstreak | Lunate Ichneumon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atlides halesus | Megarhyssa greenei |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 32-50 mm wingspan | 25-40 mm body, ovipositor up to 80 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Southern United States from California to the Atlantic coast | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Lunate Ichneumon
A reddish-brown parasitoid wasp native to North America. It targets horntail larvae in hardwood trees and uses its long ovipositor to reach them.
Did You Know?
It is the smallest of the three North American Megarhyssa species but still impressively large.