Chinese Character Moth vs Scarce Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chinese Character Moth | Scarce Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cilix glaucata | Lycaena virgaureae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Drepanidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 20-25 mm wingspan | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Orchards | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Chinese Character Moth
A tiny moth whose resting posture perfectly mimics a bird dropping on a leaf. Its white wings bear a central brown blotch that completes the illusion.
Did You Know?
Its bird-dropping disguise is so effective that even experienced entomologists can walk past it without noticing.
Scarce Copper
A brilliant fiery-orange butterfly with black-spotted forewings, the male being one of the most intensely coloured European butterflies. Females are more subdued with brown-spotted orange wings.
Did You Know?
Males are so brilliantly orange they can be spotted from over 50 metres away in sunlit meadows.