Brown Hairstreak vs Japanese Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown Hairstreak | Japanese Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thecla betulae | Hagenomyia micans |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 36-40 mm wingspan | 60-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Japan, Korea, Eastern China |
| Conservation | Least Concern (declining in parts of range) | Least Concern |
Brown Hairstreak
A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.
Did You Know?
Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.
Japanese Antlion
A large East Asian antlion with glossy wings and a robust body. A familiar summer insect across Japan attracted to artificial lights.
Did You Know?
In Japanese folklore, antlion larvae are called 'arijigoku' meaning 'ant hell.'