Scentless Plant Bug vs Great Purple Hairstreak
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Scentless Plant Bug | Great Purple Hairstreak |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Jadera haematoloma | Atlides halesus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Rhopalidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 32-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States, Central America, South America | Southern United States from California to the Atlantic coast |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Scentless Plant Bug
A red-eyed black and red bug that forms enormous aggregations on golden rain trees and other soapberry family plants. Despite its common name, it belongs to the scentless plant bug family. It is completely harmless to humans and structures.
Did You Know?
Populations feeding on different host plants have evolved different beak lengths matched to seed size, providing a textbook example of rapid natural selection.
Great Purple Hairstreak
The largest hairstreak in North America with brilliant iridescent blue upperside wings and a bright red-orange abdomen. Its underside is dark with metallic blue and red spots near the tails.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars feed only on mistletoe, and females seek out this parasitic plant high in oak canopies to lay their eggs.