Small Milkweed Bug vs Eastern Tailed-Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Milkweed Bug | Eastern Tailed-Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lygaeus kalmii | Cupido comyntas |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lygaeidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 10-12 mm | 20-29 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Milkweed Bug
A boldly patterned red-and-black seed bug that feeds on milkweed seeds and sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides. Its warning coloration advertises its chemical defense to predators.
Did You Know?
It stores milkweed toxins in its body, making it taste terrible to birds and other predators that try to eat it.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Tiny blue butterfly with thin tails on the hindwings and orange spots near the tail. One of the smallest and most common butterflies in eastern North America.
Did You Know?
Its tiny hindwing tails mimic antennae, tricking predators into attacking the wrong end.