Spruce Budworm vs Chilean Green Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spruce Budworm Chilean Green Lacewing
Scientific Name Choristoneura fumiferana Chrysoperla externa
Order Lepidoptera Neuroptera
Family Tortricidae Chrysopidae
Size 20-28 mm wingspan 14-22 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America South America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spruce Budworm

A small mottled grey-brown moth that is the most destructive forest pest in North America. Outbreaks can kill millions of hectares of spruce and fir forest.

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Did You Know?

A single outbreak in the 1970s-80s damaged more timber than all forest fires in Canada combined.

Chilean Green Lacewing

The most common green lacewing in South America with a broad distribution. Extensively used for biological control in Brazilian agriculture.

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Did You Know?

Brazilian farmers rear millions of these lacewings annually for release in soybean and cotton fields.