Claudina Metalmark vs Large Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Claudina Metalmark | Large Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesosemia claudia | Nymphalis polychloros |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Riodinidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 30-38 mm wingspan | 54-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Orchards |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (extinct in Britain) |
Claudina Metalmark
A small, dark-winged metalmark butterfly with fine silvery-blue spots along the wing margins. It rests with wings spread flat in shady forest understory.
Did You Know?
Metalmark butterflies get their name from the tiny metallic-looking spots on their wings that glint in stray beams of light.
Large Tortoiseshell
A large orange butterfly with dark spots resembling a scaled-up small tortoiseshell, once widespread in Britain but now effectively extinct there. It hibernates as an adult in tree hollows.
Did You Know?
Its decline in Britain is thought to be linked to Dutch elm disease destroying its primary food plant.