Navel Orangeworm vs Helena Brown Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Navel Orangeworm Helena Brown Butterfly
Scientific Name Amyelois transitella Tisiphone helena
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pyralidae Nymphalidae
Size 20-28 mm wingspan 5-6 cm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Omnivores Sap Feeders
Regions North America Australia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Navel Orangeworm

The most damaging pest of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios in California. Larvae bore into nuts and contaminate them with frass and fungal spores.

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Did You Know?

It promotes aflatoxin contamination by introducing Aspergillus fungi into damaged nuts.

Helena Brown Butterfly

A dark brown butterfly with orange-ringed eyespots found in shaded forest environments. It has a weak, bobbing flight close to the ground.

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Did You Know?

It is one of very few Australian butterflies that prefers deep shade over sunny open areas.