Old World Bollworm vs Twisted-Winged Parasitoid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Old World Bollworm Twisted-Winged Parasitoid
Scientific Name Helicoverpa armigera Elenchus tenuicornis
Order Lepidoptera Strepsiptera
Family Noctuidae Elenchidae
Size 35-40 mm wingspan 1-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Parasites
Regions Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America Europe, Asia
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.

Twisted-Winged Parasitoid

A minute strepsipteran that parasitizes planthoppers of the family Delphacidae. Males have fan-shaped hind wings and raspberry-like compound eyes unique among insects.

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Did You Know?

Strepsiptera have unique compound eyes with far fewer but much larger individual lenses than any other insect, resembling a cluster of berries.