Indian Blister Beetle vs Gulf Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Blister Beetle | Gulf Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mylabris pustulata | Dione vanillae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 60-95 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh) | North America, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Indian Blister Beetle
A striking beetle with black elytra marked with bright red or orange bands and spots. It produces cantharidin, a powerful blistering agent, and feeds on flowers in agricultural fields during monsoon season.
Did You Know?
Despite being a flower pest, blister beetle larvae are beneficial because they consume enormous quantities of grasshopper egg pods in the soil.
Gulf Fritillary
Bright orange wings with black markings above and elongated silver spots below. Despite its name, it belongs to the passion-vine butterfly subfamily.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars are bright orange with black spines to warn predators of chemicals from passion vines.