Old World Bollworm vs Australian Painted Lady

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Old World Bollworm Australian Painted Lady
Scientific Name Helicoverpa armigera Vanessa kershawi
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae Nymphalidae
Size 35-40 mm wingspan 4-5 cm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America Australia, New Zealand
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Old World Bollworm

One of the most destructive agricultural pests globally, attacking over 200 crop species. Larvae bore into cotton bolls, tomato fruits, and legume pods.

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Did You Know?

It has developed resistance to nearly every class of insecticide used against it, making it one of agriculture's toughest pests.

Australian Painted Lady

An orange, black, and white butterfly closely related to the cosmopolitan painted lady. It undertakes seasonal migrations across southeastern Australia.

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Did You Know?

Millions migrate northward in autumn in one of Australia's most impressive insect movements.