Sumac Gall Aphid vs Scotch Argus
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sumac Gall Aphid | Scotch Argus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melaphis rhois | Erebia aethiops |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pemphigidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 40-48 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Sumac Gall Aphid
A gall-forming aphid that produces large hollow galls on sumac trees in which colonies live and reproduce. Soldier nymphs defend the gall from invaders using their thickened front legs.
Did You Know?
Their soldier caste is composed of sterile first-instar nymphs that sacrifice their development to protect the colony.
Scotch Argus
A dark brown butterfly with russet-orange bands containing eyespots, found in northern grasslands and light woodland. It flies in a bouncing manner close to the ground.
Did You Know?
In Britain, it is confined to Scotland and a single colony in the Lake District surviving since the last ice age.