Spruce Budworm vs Red-banded Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spruce Budworm Red-banded Hairstreak
Scientific Name Choristoneura fumiferana Calycopis cecrops
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tortricidae Lycaenidae
Size 20-28 mm wingspan 22-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America North 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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Red-banded Hairstreak

Small dark butterfly with a prominent red-orange postmedian band on the underside. Hindwings bear false head pattern with tails.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae are detritivores, uniquely feeding on decomposing fallen leaves rather than live foliage.