Brown Argus vs Mercury Islands Tusked Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Brown Argus	Mercury Islands Tusked Weta
Scientific Name	Aricia agestis	Motuweta isolata
Order	Lepidoptera	Orthoptera
Family	Lycaenidae	Anostostomatidae
Size	25-31 mm wingspan	40-50 mm body
Habitat	Beaches & Coastal	Beaches & Coastal
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Seed Feeders
Regions	Europe, western Asia, North Africa	Oceania
Conservation	Least Concern	Vulnerable

Brown Argus

A small chocolate-brown butterfly with a row of bright orange crescent-shaped spots around the wing margins. Despite its brown color, it belongs to the blue butterfly subfamily.

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Did You Know?

It has expanded its range northward in Britain in recent decades, likely in response to climate warming.

Mercury Islands Tusked Weta

One of New Zealands rarest insects, found only on Middle Mercury Island. Males have curved tusks on their mandibles used in territorial combat with rivals.

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Did You Know?

This weta is so rare it was not discovered until 1970, living on a single 13-hectare island — males have tusks protruding from their jaws, unique among weta species.