Chalk Hill Blue vs Lesser Purple Emperor
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chalk Hill Blue | Lesser Purple Emperor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyommatus coridon | Apatura ilia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | Wingspan 33-40mm | 54-68 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Central and southern Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Chalk Hill Blue
A large blue butterfly with silvery-blue males and brown females. Restricted to chalk and limestone grasslands.
Did You Know?
Males have an ethereal silvery-blue tone unique among European butterflies, visible in large numbers on chalk hills.
Lesser Purple Emperor
Similar to the Purple Emperor but smaller, with an ocellus on the forewing and more strongly marked underside. It occurs in two forms: typical purple and a golden-orange aberration.
Did You Know?
The orange form (f. clytie) was once thought to be a separate species before genetics proved otherwise.