Grizzled Skipper vs Benderman's Cave Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Grizzled Skipper Benderman's Cave Beetle
Scientific Name Pyrgus malvae Pseudanophthalmus bendermani
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Hesperiidae Carabidae
Size 23-29 mm wingspan 4-5 mm
Habitat Grasslands Caves
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia United States
Conservation Least Concern (declining in northern range) Endangered

Grizzled Skipper

A tiny butterfly with dark brown wings chequered with white spots, resembling a small moth. It basks with wings spread flat in sheltered spots on warm spring days.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillar lives inside a tiny tent made by folding and silk-binding the edge of a leaf.

Benderman's Cave Beetle

A tiny blind ground beetle restricted to a single cave system in Virginia. It is federally listed as endangered in the United States.

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Did You Know?

It is known from only one cave in the entire world.