Owl Butterfly vs Squash Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Owl Butterfly Squash Bug
Scientific Name Caligo memnon Anasa tristis
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Nymphalidae Coreidae
Size Wingspan 120-160mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions South America, North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Owl Butterfly

A very large tropical butterfly with enormous owl-eye patterns on the underside of its hindwings. The uppersides are deep blue-purple.

💡

Did You Know?

The large eyespots on its underwings closely resemble the face of a screech owl which startles would-be predators.

Squash Bug

A flat, dark grayish-brown bug that is a major pest of squash and pumpkin plants. When crushed, it emits a distinctly unpleasant odor similar to stink bugs.

💡

Did You Know?

Squash bugs inject toxic saliva while feeding that causes a condition called anasa wilt, which can kill entire squash vines within days of a heavy infestation.