Neotropical Blue Hairstreak vs Red Soldier Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Blue Hairstreak | Red Soldier Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudolycaena marsyas | Rhagonycha fulva |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Cantharidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.
Did You Know?
Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.
Red Soldier Beetle
A very common soldier beetle in Europe with orange-red elytra tipped in black. It is one of the most familiar beetles on hogweed and other umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is commonly known as the bloodsucker beetle, though it is completely harmless to humans.