Purple Loosestrife Beetle vs Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple Loosestrife Beetle | Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Galerucella calmariensis | Hemaris tityus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 38-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe (native), introduced to North America | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (declining in western Europe) |
Purple Loosestrife Beetle
A small, yellowish-brown beetle deliberately introduced as a biocontrol agent against invasive purple loosestrife. Adults and larvae feed on leaves and growing tips of the target weed.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been one of the most successful classical biological control agents, dramatically reducing purple loosestrife infestations across North America.
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
A bumblebee mimic with largely transparent wings and a furry olive-and-brown body. It flies by day, hovering at flowers in a manner indistinguishable from a real bee.
Did You Know?
The wing scales fall off during its first flight, leaving the characteristic clear patches.