Thistle Tortoise Beetle vs Beet Armyworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thistle Tortoise Beetle | Beet Armyworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cassida rubiginosa | Spodoptera exigua |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 25-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to New Zealand and North America | Worldwide warm regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Thistle Tortoise Beetle
A pale green to yellowish-brown tortoise beetle with a somewhat flattened, circular body. It has been used as a biocontrol agent against invasive thistles in several countries.
Did You Know?
It was deliberately introduced to New Zealand and Canada as a biological control agent to combat invasive thistle species.
Beet Armyworm
A small grayish-brown moth whose green caterpillars attack a wide range of vegetable and field crops. Larvae often skeletonize leaves before moving to fruits and growing points.
Did You Know?
Young larvae spin fine silk threads that allow them to balloon on the wind to new host plants.