Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly vs Violet Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly Violet Copper
Scientific Name Neodiprion swainei Lycaena helle
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Diprionidae Lycaenidae
Size 6-9 mm 24-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern Canada, northeastern United States Northern and central Europe, Siberia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly

A pine sawfly with strongly pectinate male antennae and sawfly females that are stouter and paler. Larvae are olive green with lighter stripes and feed on jack pine.

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Did You Know?

Major outbreaks have historically defoliated millions of hectares of jack pine in Quebec, though populations crash when viral diseases sweep through colonies.

Violet Copper

A tiny butterfly whose males display a vivid violet-purple sheen over coppery-orange wings. It is one of Europe's rarest and most localised coppers.

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Did You Know?

It is so rare in western Europe that individual colonies receive specific conservation management plans.