Black-shouldered Spinyleg vs Scarce Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black-shouldered Spinyleg Scarce Copper
Scientific Name Dromogomphus spinosus Lycaena virgaureae
Order Odonata Lepidoptera
Family Gomphidae Lycaenidae
Size 60-70 mm 30-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

A large, elegant clubtail with distinctive spiny hind legs and black shoulder stripes. It perches conspicuously on rocks and logs along streams.

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Did You Know?

The spiny projections on its hind legs form a basket used to scoop prey out of the air.

Scarce Copper

A brilliant fiery-orange butterfly with black-spotted forewings, the male being one of the most intensely coloured European butterflies. Females are more subdued with brown-spotted orange wings.

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Did You Know?

Males are so brilliantly orange they can be spotted from over 50 metres away in sunlit meadows.