Purple Hairstreak vs Blue Striped Nettle Grub
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple Hairstreak | Blue Striped Nettle Grub |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Favonius quercus | Parasa lepida |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Limacodidae |
| Size | 31-40 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia, North Africa | Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Purple Hairstreak
A small dark butterfly with a purple-blue sheen visible only at certain angles, living almost exclusively in oak canopies. It feeds on honeydew rather than visiting flowers.
Did You Know?
Colonies can exist undetected for years because the butterflies almost never leave the treetops.
Blue Striped Nettle Grub
A small moth with vivid green forewings edged in dark chocolate brown. The caterpillar is bright green with blue longitudinal stripes and bears venomous urticating spines that cause intense pain.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's sting is so painful it is compared to a wasp sting, and the venomous spines can cause welts lasting several days.