Red Admiral vs Eastern Bat Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Admiral Eastern Bat Bug
Scientific Name Vanessa atalanta Cimex adjunctus
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Nymphalidae Cimicidae
Size 56-62 mm wingspan 4-5 mm
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Fruit Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Europe, North America, North Africa, Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Admiral

A bold black butterfly with red-orange bands and white spots, commonly seen in gardens. It is a strong migrant and occasional overwinterer.

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Did You Know?

In autumn it is strongly attracted to fermenting fallen fruit and can become intoxicated on the alcohol.

Eastern Bat Bug

A blood-feeding ectoparasite primarily of bats in eastern North America. It can bite humans when bat colonies are removed from buildings.

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Did You Know?

It is nearly indistinguishable from the common bed bug and requires microscopic examination to tell apart.