Indian Green Lacewing vs Small Milkweed Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian Green Lacewing Small Milkweed Bug
Scientific Name Chrysoperla zastrowi Lygaeus kalmii
Order Neuroptera Hemiptera
Family Chrysopidae Lygaeidae
Size 13-19 mm wingspan 10-12 mm
Habitat Farmland Grasslands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Indian Green Lacewing

A green lacewing commonly found across the Indian subcontinent. Widely studied for biocontrol of cotton and rice pests.

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Did You Know?

It is mass-reared in Indian laboratories for release in cotton fields as a biological control agent.

Small Milkweed Bug

A boldly patterned red-and-black seed bug that feeds on milkweed seeds and sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides. Its warning coloration advertises its chemical defense to predators.

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Did You Know?

It stores milkweed toxins in its body, making it taste terrible to birds and other predators that try to eat it.