Canary Islands Blue Butterfly vs Processionary Caterpillar Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Canary Islands Blue Butterfly Processionary Caterpillar Moth
Scientific Name Cyclyrius webbianus Ochrogaster lunifer
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Notodontidae
Size 22-28 mm wingspan 35-45 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Canary Islands Australia, Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Canary Islands Blue Butterfly

A small endemic blue butterfly found on the Canary Islands. Males have bright violet-blue upperwings and females are browner.

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Did You Know?

It is the only representative of its genus and is entirely restricted to the Canary archipelago.

Processionary Caterpillar Moth

A moth whose caterpillars are famous for travelling in long, nose-to-tail processions through the Australian bush. The larvae are covered in irritating hairs that can cause severe allergic reactions in humans.

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Did You Know?

Processions of caterpillars can stretch for metres and contain hundreds of individuals following a silk trail left by the leader.