Provencal Burnet vs Spangle Gall Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Provencal Burnet Spangle Gall Wasp
Scientific Name Zygaena occitanica Neuroterus quercusbaccarum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Zygaenidae Cynipidae
Size Wingspan 25-35mm 1.5–2.5 mm
Habitat Heathland Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Provencal Burnet

A small day-flying moth with dark blue-green metallic forewings bearing red spots and bright red hindwings. It contains hydrogen cyanide for defense.

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Did You Know?

Both adults and larvae contain cyanide compounds making them toxic to birds and other predators at all life stages.

Spangle Gall Wasp

A tiny gall wasp that produces flat, disc-shaped spangle galls on the undersides of oak leaves. It alternates between two distinct gall forms across generations.

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Did You Know?

A single oak leaf may carry over a hundred spangle galls, yet the tree suffers minimal harm.