White-letter Hairstreak vs Lobster Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-letter Hairstreak Lobster Cockroach
Scientific Name Satyrium w-album Nauphoeta cinerea
Order Lepidoptera Blattodea
Family Lycaenidae Blaberidae
Size Wingspan 26-30mm 25-30 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Forests
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Africa, Asia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.

Lobster Cockroach

A small to medium cockroach with mottled grey-brown coloring that is widely used in scientific research and as feeder insects. It communicates using pheromones.

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Did You Know?

Male lobster cockroaches establish dominance hierarchies using chemical signals, and subordinate males alter their pheromone profiles to avoid confrontation.