Horned Aphid vs Darling Underwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Horned Aphid Darling Underwing
Scientific Name Tuberaphis styraci Catocala cara
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Hormaphididae Erebidae
Size 1-2.5 mm 75-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Japan, East Asia Eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Horned Aphid

A social aphid from East Asia that forms colonies defended by sterile soldier nymphs with horned heads. They live on styrax trees and produce a single soldier caste.

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Did You Know?

Soldiers stab intruders with their sharp horns and inject a toxic secretion, dying in the process like a honeybee's suicide sting.

Darling Underwing

A large underwing moth with cryptic gray-brown forewings and striking pinkish-red hindwings banded with black. It is commonly attracted to sugaring baits.

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Did You Know?

Its Latin name cara means 'darling' or 'beloved,' referencing the beautiful pink hindwings hidden under its bark-like forewings.