Banded Hairstreak vs Red-Brown Click Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Banded Hairstreak Red-Brown Click Beetle
Scientific Name Satyrium calanus Ampedus sanguineus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Lycaenidae Elateridae
Size 25-32 mm wingspan 11-16 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Eastern United States and southeastern Canada Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Banded Hairstreak

A small dark brown butterfly with conspicuous bands of white-edged dark dashes on its hindwing underside. It has a short thin tail and a small orange spot near the tail.

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Did You Know?

It rubs its hindwings together after landing, moving the tails to mimic antennae and trick predators into attacking the wrong end.

Red-Brown Click Beetle

A handsome click beetle with vivid red elytra and a black head and thorax. Larvae develop in rotting conifer wood.

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Did You Know?

Despite its blood-red colour, it is harmless—the coloration is thought to mimic toxic beetles to deter predators.