Pink Bollworm vs Malay Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pink Bollworm Malay Lacewing
Scientific Name Pectinophora gossypiella Cethosia hypsea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Gelechiidae Nymphalidae
Size 15-20 mm wingspan 80-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Seed Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Asia, Africa, Americas, Oceania Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Indonesia)
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Pink Bollworm

A small dark moth whose pink-tinged larvae bore into cotton bolls and damage the fibers and seeds. It has been one of the most economically important cotton pests globally.

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Did You Know?

A massive sterile insect technique program successfully eradicated it from the southwestern United States by 2018.

Malay Lacewing

A vividly colored butterfly with deep orange-red wings outlined in black with white spots along the margins. The undersides are even more intricately patterned with lace-like white and orange designs.

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Did You Know?

The intricate lacework pattern on the wing undersides gives this genus its common name and helps break up the butterfly's outline when resting.