Yellow-legged Ophion vs Cranberry Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Yellow-legged Ophion | Cranberry Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ophion scutellaris | Plebejus optilete |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 22-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Japan |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Yellow-legged Ophion
A large orange-brown ichneumon wasp commonly attracted to light at night. Parasitizes large moth caterpillars. Has a laterally compressed, blade-like abdomen.
Did You Know?
One of the most commonly reported ichneumon wasps in houses, drawn to lights on summer evenings.
Cranberry Blue
A small butterfly with violet-blue upperwings in males and dark brown in females. The hindwing underside has a diagnostic metallic silver spot. It frequents boggy habitats where its larval foodplant cranberry grows.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar is tended by ants which protect it from parasitoids in exchange for sweet honeydew secretions.