Buck Moth vs Violet Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Buck Moth | Violet Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemileuca maia | Lycaena helle |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 50-75 mm wingspan | 24-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Northern and central Europe, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Buck Moth
A day-flying black and white moth with a red-tipped abdomen that appears in autumn. Its spiny caterpillar delivers a painful venomous sting that causes welts and swelling.
Did You Know?
In New Orleans, falling caterpillars are a seasonal hazard, prompting public health warnings each spring.
Violet Copper
A tiny butterfly whose males display a vivid violet-purple sheen over coppery-orange wings. It is one of Europe's rarest and most localised coppers.
Did You Know?
It is so rare in western Europe that individual colonies receive specific conservation management plans.