Milkweed Bug vs Essex Skipper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Milkweed Bug | Essex Skipper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oncopeltus fasciatus | Thymelicus lineola |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lygaeidae | Hesperiidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 26-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Europe, western Asia (introduced to North America) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Milkweed Bug
A medium-sized bug with bold orange-red and black warning coloration. It feeds on milkweed seeds and sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides for its own defense.
Did You Know?
This bug has become a widely used laboratory model organism because it is easy to rear, has no diapause requirement, and displays clear warning coloration.
Essex Skipper
A small orange-brown skipper so similar to the small skipper that it was not recognised as a separate British species until 1889. The undersides of its antenna tips are black, not orange.
Did You Know?
It was overlooked in Britain for over a century because it was confused with the nearly identical small skipper.