Blood-red Cymothoe vs African Malaria Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blood-red Cymothoe | African Malaria Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cymothoe sangaris | Anopheles funestus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Culicidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC) | Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blood-red Cymothoe
A strikingly sexually dimorphic butterfly where males are vivid blood-red and females are brown with white bands. It is one of the most recognizable butterflies in Central African forests. Flight is relatively slow and gliding.
Did You Know?
The blood-red coloration of males is so vivid that early European explorers initially mistook them for a different species from the brown females.
African Malaria Mosquito
A major malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa whose larvae develop in slow-moving stream margins. Prefers shaded, vegetated water with minimal disturbance.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mosquitoes that prefer stagnant water, this species specifically breeds along slow-moving stream edges.