Blood-red Cymothoe vs Orange-barred Sulphur

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blood-red Cymothoe Orange-barred Sulphur
Scientific Name Cymothoe sangaris Phoebis philea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Pieridae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan Wingspan 67-80mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Blood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC) North America, South America
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.

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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.

Orange-barred Sulphur

A large bright yellow butterfly with orange bar markings on the upper forewings. Females are more muted with reddish markings.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol large territories and engage in spiraling aerial battles with rivals that can last several minutes.