Karner Blue vs Scaly Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Karner Blue | Scaly Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Plebejus samuelis | Pseudomogoplistes vicentae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Mogoplistidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 7-11mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Great Lakes and northeastern United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Endangered | Endangered |
Karner Blue
A tiny bright blue butterfly with orange crescents on the hindwing underside that depends entirely on wild lupine. It is a federally endangered species in the United States.
Did You Know?
It was first described by novelist Vladimir Nabokov, who was also a serious lepidopterist at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Scaly Cricket
A tiny wingless cricket covered in iridescent scales. It lives on shingle beaches above the high-tide line. It is extremely secretive, hiding under pebbles during the day.
Did You Know?
It is one of the rarest insects in Britain, found on only a handful of shingle beaches.