Zebra Longwing vs Cabbage Looper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zebra Longwing | Cabbage Looper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliconius charithonia | Trichoplusia ni |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 72-100 mm wingspan | 33-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America, South America | North America, Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Zebra Longwing
A neotropical butterfly with elongated jet-black wings bearing bold pale yellow stripes. It is unusual among butterflies for feeding on pollen in addition to nectar.
Did You Know?
This butterfly can digest pollen by dissolving it with saliva on its proboscis, providing amino acids that allow adults to live six months or longer.
Cabbage Looper
A pale green caterpillar that moves in a distinctive looping motion and feeds on brassica crops. The adult moth has a silvery figure-eight marking on each forewing.
Did You Know?
It was the first insect to develop resistance to the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis in greenhouse settings.