Western Plant Bug vs Owl Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Plant Bug | Owl Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lygus hesperus | Caligo memnon |
| Order | Hemiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Miridae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 5-6 mm | Wingspan 120-160mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Western North America | South America, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Plant Bug
A small, oval plant bug that is one of the most important cotton pests in the western United States. It is variable in color from pale green to dark brown. Feeding on cotton squares causes them to abscise, resulting in yield losses.
Did You Know?
When alfalfa hay is harvested, millions of these bugs take flight simultaneously and can migrate en masse to nearby cotton fields, causing sudden severe damage.
Owl Butterfly
A very large tropical butterfly with enormous owl-eye patterns on the underside of its hindwings. The uppersides are deep blue-purple.
Did You Know?
The large eyespots on its underwings closely resemble the face of a screech owl which startles would-be predators.