Malagasy Blue Butterfly vs Carpenterworm Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Blue Butterfly Carpenterworm Moth
Scientific Name Leptomyrina phidias Prionoxystus robiniae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Cossidae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 40–75 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Madagascar North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Malagasy Blue Butterfly

A small butterfly with brilliant blue upperwings in males and more subdued brown in females. The underwing surface has fine dark streaks on a silvery white background.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars are unusual among lycaenids in feeding on lichens rather than the more typical ants or plant tissue.

Carpenterworm Moth

A large North American moth whose larvae bore into the heartwood of oaks, elms, and other hardwoods. It is the most destructive wood-boring moth in eastern forests.

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Did You Know?

Larvae create tunnels up to 25 mm wide and take three to four years to complete development.