Hagen's Web Spinner vs Purple Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hagen's Web Spinner Purple Hairstreak
Scientific Name Oligotoma humbertiana Favonius quercus
Order Embioptera Lepidoptera
Family Oligotomidae Lycaenidae
Size 8.0-11.0 mm 31-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Asia Europe, western Asia, North Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hagen's Web Spinner

A common web spinner of South and Southeast Asia found under bark and in soil crevices. It reproduces by parthenogenesis in many populations.

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Did You Know?

Many populations consist entirely of females that reproduce without mating, with males being extremely rare or absent.

Purple Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a purple-blue sheen visible only at certain angles, living almost exclusively in oak canopies. It feeds on honeydew rather than visiting flowers.

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Did You Know?

Colonies can exist undetected for years because the butterflies almost never leave the treetops.