Green Hairstreak vs Gladiolus Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Hairstreak Gladiolus Thrips
Scientific Name Callophrys rubi Thrips simplex
Order Lepidoptera Thysanoptera
Family Lycaenidae Thripidae
Size Wingspan 26-34mm 1.2-1.5 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Green Hairstreak

A small butterfly with plain brown uppersides but stunning iridescent green undersides. It always rests with wings closed showing only the green underside.

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Did You Know?

It is the only green butterfly in Britain and its color comes from photonic crystals in the wing scales not pigment.

Gladiolus Thrips

A specialist pest of gladiolus and related plants, causing silvery streaking on leaves and flower damage. It can survive in stored gladiolus corms.

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Did You Know?

Gladiolus thrips can persist through winter by hiding in stored gladiolus bulbs, reinfesting new plantings the following season.